Hard Times

We've had a few rough days at our house this week.  This election has been a difficult one and I really expected the American people to make a better choice.  Tuesday night I couldn't sleep due to the sinking feeling deep in my soul.  I've never had this kind of reaction to election results before.  Of course, America has never made such blatant choices against God as a nation before, either;  Legalizing pot for fun, legalizing gay marriage, choosing to let the government control more and more of our lives, and the list goes on.  What is this country coming to?   I continued pondering on the situation yesterday while I was writing my Bible study and came across some great passages in the Bible that helped me find some peace with the situation.  I thought I would share them with you today so that God can share His peace with you as we move forward as Christian Americans in a fallen country.

Psalm 119:25-32

25 I am laid low in the dust; preserve my life according to your word.26 I recounted my ways and you answered me; teach me your decrees.27 Let me understand the teaching of your precepts; then I will meditate on your wonders.28 My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.29 Keep me from deceitful ways; be gracious to me through your law. 30 I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws. 31 I hold fast to your statutes, O LORD; do not let me be put to shame. 32 I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.

 

Do any of you have a weary soul right now?  Are you laid low in the dust?  It's time for us to lay ourselves at His feet.  He will strengthen us!  There is great freedom to be had in giving your heart to Christ.  Just imagine for a moment - if you've filled your heart with God and His precious word how much room is left for despair?  He is ready and willing to fill those spaces for each one of us, and there is such comfort waiting for us when we make that decision!  

 

Matthew 5:1-12

1 Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them, saying: 3"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.11"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

 

I think this is a good time for us to remember the Beatitudes.  You might notice that nowhere does it say "Blessed are the happy people with no problems..."  This doesn't mean we can't receive God's blessings when things are going well.  It means we are going to encounter difficulty living here in the world and we have a Savior who is here for us when we do.  Are you mourning?  Let Him comfort you.  Are you hungry for His righteousness?  Let Him feed you and fill you up.  Are you being treated badly by people around you?  Rejoice in it!  You're walking a path that many have before you and you're storing reward in Heaven for yourself. 

Passages like this one put my situation in perspective.  Think about the world early Christians lived in.  Instead of Sunday afternoon football, people would go watch Sunday afternoon Christian vs. Lion battles, and those contests were rigged - the Christians never won those "games!"  They, too, lived in a fallen world surrounded by people who rejected God and were slaves to their base natures.  But, they didn't quit and neither can we. 

 

It's time for Christians to take back our country and it's going to be hard.  I saw an interesting segment on Hannity last night.  He was talking with a guest about why Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan didn't win, and they made a really good point.  One side was offering the "easy" solution - let the government take care of it for you.  Let the government pay you instead of getting a job, let the government regulate your food so you'll quit getting fat, let the government tell you what medical care you're allowed to have, and the list goes on.  You don't have to take responsibility because the government's going to do it for you.  On the other side you had guys with big ideas, but they all required work from each one of us.  They had answers to fix the economy, but those answers required change - change in entitlements, change in programs, etc.  It wasn't going to be easy, but they could have fixed the damage that's been done to our economy and healthcare system.  Sean Hannity likened their stance to the parent that makes you take responsibility for your actions - very necessary, but not near as appealing to the masses who have become dependent on the government for their survival.

 

We, as Christians, need to decide where we're going to put our faith.  Are you going to put your faith in God, the Creator and Savior of all?  His way isn't the easy one, either, but it's full of more benefit than you'll ever find here on Earth!