Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the LORD and against his anointed, saying,
“Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles.”
The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them.
He rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,
“I have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain.”
I will proclaim the LORD ’s decree: He said to me, “You are my son; today I have become your father.
Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.
You will break them with a rod of iron ; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”
Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth.
Serve the LORD with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling. Kiss his son, or he will be angry and your way will lead to your destruction, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him. Psalm 2
My Second daughter was fond of this expression for a time: ‘Not my Monkey; Not my circus”. It is akin to: “There are bigger fish to fry.” and “Only worry about those things you can control.” Thank you, Marty Silberberg wherever you are.
It seems as if our entire lives have for far too long centered on social media and news outlets rages of the day. We bounce from one manufactured crisis to another but to who’s benefit? Ours? Our community’s? Our state’s? The Nation’s? We have chosen teams based a color - red or blue; an animal - elephant or donkey. But have we chosen the right “team” for the right reasons?
To whom do we give our reverence? Our fealty? Are those we worship and obey worthy our reverence; our fealty? And more to the point can they heal a nation or a world?
I recently had the honor of hearing Dr. David C. Gibbs Jr., founder of the Christian Law Association who touched on this during his discussion of the book of James in which James cautions to speak with “bridled tongue”. Dr. Gibbs in addition to his caution about comporting ourselves in a godly fashion when we speak in tense times said: ‘Our nation is a mess and it will not be saved by the next election.’
How did we get here and how will get where we need to go?
Both Dr. Gibbs, Dr. Ben Carson and pastors everywhere are giving us that direction but are we there to hear it? Are we accepting it when we do hear it?
This is what Ben Carson has to say:
"This nation was founded on Judeo-Christian values and principles that show us how we are supposed to think," said Carson. "And when you think about the way our young people are being raised now- taught that they need safe spaces, that you don't need to respect opinions that are different from yours, that you can cancel people, that your opinion is more important than other people's opinion- and then we act surprised when a young person takes a high power weapon and mass murders a bunch of people. Then we say 'it's the gun.'"
"It is not the gun. It's the heart that needs to be changed," Carson stated. "We need to teach morals and values once again."
Here is what James told us:
”…remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.”
Our prayers and our devotion to becoming God like are far more powerful than choosing between red or blue, donkey or elephant. Voting is important and we have an obligation as good citizens to do so but we must do so wisely and with the guidance of God.
Union, KY
5 August 2022