I have been pondering lately about the season changes. The leaves will soon begin to turn, the days are already getting shorter, the leaves will fall only to be picked up and disposed of. What a beautiful time of the year. There is another season upon us – the political season. That is not so nice. “He said, she said,” is flying from the left and right. The national debates are mudslinging, political jargon that makes a lot of people just turn it off. After the vice presidential debate last night, they talked with undecided, Ohio voters. They asked if the debate changed their mind. The majority of them were still indecisive. I thought it was revealing of our culture when one said, “I was with a certain candidate until they started talking about their faith. Then that made me mad.” What? It’s only when we bring our faith or God into the mix that we are able to see the issues for what they are.
I like what the Reverend Sammy Rodriguez says, “Our hope is not in the donkey or in the elephant, but in the Lamb.” We need to look at our candidate choices through the lens of biblical authority. In order to Make America Great Again, we need to recognize that God is the only one who can do that. Jim Garlow, pastor of Skyline Wesleyan Church, says, “I frequently hear people object, ‘But I don’t want to vote for the lesser of two evils.’ Well, until Jesus runs for office, all candidates are flawed, sin impacted, less-than-perfect human beings. The fact is in every political race, you are, in effect, choosing from the lesser of two evils.” So the fact remains, our hope does not abide in political parties. My hope is in God and His truths. We need to ask the God of wisdom to give us the mind of Christ and give us the ability to influence governmental integrity in our nation.
We have been looking at Daniel on Sunday. This past Sunday Daniel interpreted the dream of King Nebuchadnezzar in chapter 4. He said, “You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox and be drenched with the dew of heaven (in other words, go insane). Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes. The command to leave the stump of the tree with its roots means that your kingdom will be restored to you when you acknowledge that Heaven rules. Therefore, Your Majesty, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue” Daniel 4:25-27.
There you have it, when you recognize the Lord and live according to His Word, then prosperity, the peace of the soul and of a nation, will return. That is my desire and it is the desire of all those who seek the Name of the Lord.
So, based on sound biblical wisdom, what candidate will reflect God more? Because you see, only God is Great and God is Good. We learned that at an early age before we ate of the food that His hand provided. If you have to, turn off the TV channel and turn on the channel of blessing by consulting the only One who sees all and knows all – the King of kings, and the Lord of lords.
I am looking forward to a few things in the days ahead. I am excited to go with several people from our church to Columbus for a prayer rally with Franklin Graham. I am excited for Sunday as we continue in our series on the Book of Daniel. Now for more political commercials and advertisements – not so much!
Joy in Jesus!
Pastor Mike
www.findlayfirstnaz.org
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