I am angry. Yes, I have been watching the news again, can you tell? So much hatred! People hate the police. Police hate people. Candidates that we will be electing to lead our government spending more time slamming each other than telling us how they are going to improve our economy and restore our country to greatness. Why do we feel responsible for making sure the sin in others’ lives is known to all? Psalm 75:7 tells us that, “It is God alone who judges; He decides who will rise and who will fall.”
We spend way too much time making sure the bad guys pay for their sins. We spend way too much time trying to take God’s place. God has commissioned each of us to live our own lives, be responsible for confessing and paying for our own sins, and following His Word as our guideline, and not the news.
There is going to come a day when we see God’s wrath on sin and, Jesus, I pray that I am on the right side of His wrath. That I have taken the time to pray for those who are running, or plan to run, our government. That I have compassion for those who are hurting regardless of the color of their skin, the circumstances they are in, or how much they have hurt me or my family. That I am aware of the injustice in our society, but not overtaken by it.
Psalm 76:12 says, “For He (God) breaks the pride of princes, and the kings of the earth fear Him.” Yes, the feelings that we have toward others come from a prideful source. Whether it is an “I would never do that” pride or a “my candidate is better than your candidate” pride. God will break it. We are nothing, but we are valuable. Each and every one of us, and them.
One thing I have learned in my Bible reading is that no matter how many times Israel, God’s chosen people, turned against Him, “He cared for them with a true heart and He led them with skillful hands.” Psalm 78:72. And He does the same for each and every child of God on earth. If we only forget what the other guy is doing long enough to see His Hand on our lives. Can you imagine the revival if every child of God stopped criticizing others and fell to their knees in worship of the God who created us and provided forgiveness of our sins so that we could be in relationship with Him? And what if that relationship was our focus? What a testimony to those who have not yet realized the beautiful gift of Jesus’ salvation.
“Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the Word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored…and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one…May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.”
Is it possible to capture every thought for Jesus? It is if we remember the words in this verse in 2 Thessalonians 3. If we can move our thoughts from hatred and fear to, pray for us that Jesus is honored in our lives. That God would provide safety for us from those who are evil, while we pray for them that God would direct their hearts to the steadfastness of Christ. And that He would do the same for us.
Heart Notes of Life 