It’s that time again. The time when a great deal of people are reduced to name calling, hateful, spiteful individuals. The time when we, as a people, are to vote for our next President.
Unless you have no television, smartphone or radio, you can’t help but see the videos, news reports, social media posts and commercials.
People are getting worked up, downright mad and even mean. It is causing division and hurt feelings all over. Even in the church.
People everywhere are worried about who the next President will be. Stressing over it.
Have we forgotten that we have a Heavenly Father Who rules in the kingdom of man? Have we forgotten that we have a very powerful tool – prayer?
So, what are we, as Christians, to do?
Pray About it, Don’t Worry About it
Instead of stressing about who will be our President, let us pray daily that the person in power will do God’s will. That they will do things to further His Kingdom.
God gave Christians the avenue of prayer. Use it. Don’t reject or neglect your prayer life. You will grow closer to our Heavenly Father if you spend daily time in prayer. God wants, He desires to hear and grant the petitions and supplications of his children! We are told: “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” (Philippians 4:6).
Jesus tells us: “And he spake a parable unto them [to this end], that men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” (Luke 18:1). Concerning prayer we are instructed: “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.” (Eph. 6:18).
Pray about it. Pray for God’s will to be done. Then put it in His Very Capable Hands. He is our Supreme Ruler and will work it out according to His will!
Philippians 4:19 - But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
We need to always remember…God Rules in the Kingdom of Men!
God rules over all things, God is the one in control. Not man! I know who I am voting for and I have VERY strong thoughts and opinions on the matter. But in saying this, I also realize that I am not the one in control. God is. I can get mad, jump up and down and have a hissy fit and it will do no good. God will still rule in the Kingdom of men!
Remember Daniel? (He was the one who got thrown into the den of lions and lived through it). In Daniel 4:17 we are told: “This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.
Yes, God uses men (even the basest of men) to bring about His will. Not once, but twice in Daniel 4, God tells us that He rules in the Kingdom of men! When will men ever understand and listen? God will always rule. Not man.
The sooner we all realize that God is in control, the better off we will be. We need to understand that the person in a position of power may not be a godly person, but that God WILL use this person to further His Cause. There may be someone in power that we don’t like personally but know that God is in control!
In Romans 13, the Apostle Paul makes it clear that we are to be subject, (submit ourselves) to the powers that are ordained of God, (Civil Government). Paul continues to explain that those who refuse, have refused God. If we didn’t have a Civil Government, we would be in a bad situation. God knew this, (of course).
Therefore, God took steps to ensure we are protected. Is Civil Government perfect? No, absolutely not. Men are fallible. Still, Civil Government is perfect for the purpose it was created or ordained of God. There must be law and order in any society or there would be chaos. Rulers are to be a terror to those who would cause this chaos. And only to those who do not respect their authority and laws. Those who live as law abiding citizens should have nothing to fear.
Romans 13:1-7 – “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.”
In 1Tim. 2:1-4 we read: “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For Kings, for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and come to a knowledge of the truth”
Once we realize all this, we must do our part. First, pray, pray, pray, seek Gods will in all things, then vote for the person who will do the most for the cause of Christ. Then, we must have faith that God will work all things out according to His purpose.
Having faith in Christ is not a show. It’s a reality. It comes from the heart. If you have resentment in your heart and feel like you have no choice but to love Christ and have faith in Him, there is a problem. True love for Christ must be there and come from within.
Is this a struggle? Do you have a heart problem? Work on it. Open your heart and truly work on growing your love. Work on building your faith. On having faith deep inside your being. On having such a strong inward faith that it can’t help but shine through to others.
When I think of strong faith, I can’t help but reflect on the woman introduced in Matthew 9 who had that inward faith.
Matthew 9:20-22 – And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.
This account does something to my heart. Oh, if only everyone could have a faith such as this! Guess what? EVERYONE CAN!
Maybe we have to work on it. Maybe we need to build our own faith.
Building Our Faith
We must understand that faith is based on evidence. There is evidence in the universe to demand that there had to be a Creator. Things didn’t just “happen”.
Romans 10:17 - So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Pick up your Bible and study. Go to Bible Class, go to service and listen to the Preacher. Then study behind him to make sure that the things he preached on are accurate. Do your due diligence. Meditate on the Word of God.
Hebrews 11:1 - Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
We hope for, long for and look to a home in Heaven. Our faith drives that hope. I personally look at the evidence, but mostly, I know we have a Creator because I feel His Love for me. I feel it. I see it. I know it is there. Every morning. During the day. At nighttime.
Always.
How do I feel and see His Love, you may ask? I attend fellowship with my brethren, and I feel it. I look at my family and I feel it. I look up at the sky and I feel it. I look at trees, flowers, grass and I feel it. I interact with my dog and I feel it. I wake up breathing and I feel it. I see it in all these things, and I know He is there. I know and trust that I will have a home in Heaven some day.
Conclusion
Let us grow out faith, let us pray for God’s will to be done. Then let us be. Be happy. Be thankful. Be a helping hand. Be a teacher. Be a role model. Be a diligent Bible student. Be a Christian.
Have you obeyed the gospel? If not, you can. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Put Christ on in Baptism. Put God first. Do this and you’ll find it’s much easier to trust that God is in control.
How does one become a Christian?
1. Hear the Gospel. (Romans 10:17, John 8:32)
2. Believe the Gospel (Hebrews 11:6, John 20:31)
3. Repent of past sins (Luke 13:3, Acts 17:30)
4. Confess faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 10:10, Matthew 10:32)
5. Be Baptized (Galatians 3:27, Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38)
6. Be faithful unto death (Revelation 2:10)
As always, I am happy to study with anyone, day or night.
In Christian Love,
Leah Brewer
