Thursday, November 06, 2008

Where do we go from here?

Good day Saints!

Well it's two days after the elections, and now we just are letting the full reality of our local and national elections set in. I don't know about you, but I have mixed feelings.

On the one hand, it has been a historic campaign, in that a woman was on one ticket for VP, which would have been a first for our country and a great step forward for women's rights. On the other ticket, for the first time in our history, an African American was not only a contender, but won the position of President of the United States; a great step forward from our country's past history of racism.

Yet there are many that I have spoken to, including myself, that have great concern; not about race or gender, but about the moral and political direction of our country. With the evident shift to the left, what kind of society will we leave to our children?

Before we get too worried, we should remember this: God is still on the throne, and very much in control of events in heaven and on earth. I think of a similar situation, over two millennia ago, when a young man was left to ponder the fate of his people and his country. In the seventh century B.C., a young boy by the name of Daniel was taken from his home, and brought to a far-away country, ruled by a godless tyrant named Nebuchadnezzar. Yet rather than lament the terrible situation that he was in, he saw things through the eyes of eternity:


"Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His. And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; Dan 2:20-21

In other words, Daniel trusted that for some higher purpose, God had placed this man Nebuchadnezzar into a position of power and authority. He told Nebuchadnezzar:

You, O king, are a king of kings. For the God of heaven has given you a kingdom, power, strength, and glory; Dan 2:37

Instead of formenting a revolution against the ruler, or critiquing his every decision, Daniel prayed and trusted God. As a matter of fact, Daniel became an "agent of change" in Nebuchadnezzar's palace.

Later on in his life, God gave Daniel a vision of what the "end times" would look like, including a time when a great king would arise, a man known as the anti-Christ. Many people will follow this great king. But in the end, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will return:

"At that time Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, every one who is found written in the book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever.
Dan 12:1-3

So where do we go from here? UP! First, pray for our new leaders. They need it! We should support where we agree, and let our voice be heard, in a respectful manner, where we disagree. Regardless of who we voted for, these people are now OUR elected representatives.

Second, we as Christians are to keep our eyes on Christ, to seek first the Kingdom of heaven. We have just learned from Christ that wide is the road that leads to destruction, and man are on it. Narrow is the path that leads to life. If we will be like Daniel and see things through the eyes of eternity, we will see that this world is not going to become more Godly, or more moral. Our society is on a slow fade into destruction. Yet WE don't have to follow. We can follow Christ. And in the end, "Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever."

I can think of no better time to have a church conference where we are taught about the "Clear and Present Dangers" facing us today. If you have not registered yet, and you decide you need to come, please let us know, we'll make room!


...till the whole world hears,

Pastor Clay

1 comment:

steve said...

Taken from Lamb and Lion Ministries:

"Our nation has just elected the most pro-abortion, pro-homosexual, anti-Capitalist, and anti-Israel president in our history. In short, God has given us the kind of leader that we deserve — the kind we have been begging for. The new President now has the power to put his radical secular imprint upon this nation for decades to come through the appointment of activist liberals to the Supreme Court. I fear that our nation has been irrevocably changed for the worse."
Pastor Regan may sound a little strong, but I must admit I agree.