11-4-2020

Good Morning All, 

          Psalm 146:3; “Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.”

    So, who won??  Obviously, this is being written on Election night and the counting is still going on, so who won?  There appears to be some debate as it is relatively close and mail in ballots will matter, then the court challenges and when the dust settles, it looks like our country will remain divided politically.  So, who won?  Maybe we should look at this in a little different fashion.

    Who won?  Jesus won a long time ago, is still the King and will be forever.  Jesus sits at the right hand of God and reigns and will return to complete the task he started by eliminating death and bringing about the perfect creation where He will reign, here on earth for eternity.  No matter what the pundits say, Jesus is the winner, his victory reigns supreme.  Our question should never be about winning and losing; our question should be living out our life as a Christian.  Our victory does not depend on one party or another; our victory depends upon Jesus.  I would encourage you to read all of Psalm 146.  The psalmist speaks to the foolishness of placing your hope in man, any man.  In verse 4, the psalmist tells us that when man dies, so do his plans and promises.  This is never true of God.  God’s promises are eternal.  The Lord works justice, feeds the hungry, upholds the widows and the fatherless.  Yet how does God do this?  He does this through ordinary ways and means.

    God almost always uses ordinary methods to accomplish his will.  That is, you and that is me.  It is not enough for us to sit back and tell the world that God will deliver them if we refuse to let the Spirit use us to accomplish this.  When I preach at a funeral, I usually tell the people gathered that God is going to comfort this grieving family and He is going to use your arms, your shoulders and your ears to accomplish this.  God will feed the hungry, support the widow, the fatherless, bring about justice, end oppression and bring healing into the world.  Yet He uses His Church, the Body of believers to do this.  I have heard numerous people say, “things have to change!”  That change has to begin with you.  You and I may not be able to heal a nation, but we can begin with our family by striving to be better spouses, parents, and children.  We can begin in our community by being a more loving neighbor, willing to help our neighbor in need.  This we can do and this we must do.

    So, who won?  It does not have to matter to a Christian who is desiring to worship the true God, kneel humbly before Him in penitence, and seek to walk the servant’s path.  When we do this, our neighbor wins.  Our victory is in Christ, it is never in jeopardy.  The healing of our communities can occur when Christians live out their faith and seek the Lord’s truth.  Put not you faith in men; put your faith in Jesus.

Father, lead us to see that the future is in your hand.  Guide us by your Spirit to know of our salvation and to serve you in this world.  Defend those who are in danger or suffering at this time.  Move our hearts that we may be your arms, your hands, and your shoulders of comfort.  In the precious name of Jesus, we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret