I recently received an email from a friend in another city expressing concern. I thought you might find our dialogue helpful as it applies universally to difficulty and uncertainty regardless of how it is presented. He kindly allowed me to use his name.
I am very concerned (about this election). I think about where we are as a nation and where we are on God’s timetable. How does the US play into the big picture on God’s prophetic timetable? My view is that the US will have to become irrelevant on the world stage for things to play out. I am very afraid that we are now on that path. I’m sure that this sounds like craziness and outright hyperbole to some, but I am serious. Mark Fowler…
I thought for a little while, then penned this response. I hope you will find it helpful in other situations you may encounter. I have edited my response a little for clearer thought communication.
Mark,
I understand your concern, but I would like to suggest a few thoughts for consideration…
This is God’s will. He is sovereign, supreme, and in control. He puts rulers in place and removes them from from office. Nothing will happen that He does not allow and/or cause for the purpose of bringing about His ultimate will which is His glory in the return of His Son Jesus Christ. I take great joy and comfort in those thoughts!
This is a time for Christians to work what we say we believe deep into our hearts and live out our faith before a skeptical world (Both Democrat and Republican). As it is written, “Rejoice in the Lord always…” “Count it all joy my brothers…” “Trust in the Lord with all your heart…” “Delight yourselves in the Lord…” “You are the salt of the earth and the light of the world…” Those are the thoughts that dominate my heart today.
I’d like to suggest something else I believe will help. WORSHIP! Watch the video & read the words to “In Christ Alone” on my blog. Listen to Jeremy Camp’s song, “I Will Not Be Afraid!” Then check out “I Then Shall Live.” Worship reorients our heart to God’s heart. We receive encouragement when we worship God! This is part of what Paul meant when he wrote, “Set your mind on things above… not things below!”
As to God’s timetable… who knows when Jesus will come back? Times have been much worse in the past than they are now. There was a reason God flooded the earth by water then destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. God’s people have been killed by the tens of thousands for centuries. There was a reason they called it “The Wild West,” “The Gay 90s,” and “The Roaring 20s.” Remember Capone in Chicago, the Mafia in New York, Billy the Kid, Bonnie & Clyde, and Charles Manson. The Great Depression was more difficult than our situation. There was The Civil War, WWI, WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. Hitler, Stalin, Idi Amin, Mao, Kim Jong-Il, and Saddam Huessein killed millions. The 60s was a time of free love, drugs, riots, and protests and when JFK, MLK, and RFK were all murdered. The nation survived Watergate (R)… Monica Lewinski (D)… Iran Contra (R)… Whitewater (D)… 8 years of Clinton (D)… and 8 years of Bush (R).
Take your pick of difficult times in history… it could be worse, it could be better. Today is today as God would have it be in His permissive will. Life will continue until Jesus comes back.
What I’m saying is this… “As in the days of Noah so will it be in the last days.” Nothing new is… has… or will happen. Thus I take great comfort that God is in complete, absolute, 100% control of everything that is happening in this world (Isaiah 46:9-10)!
America might (Or might not!) be sidelined… forever… and if that is God’s will, then may He be glorified in that! There may come a time in our nation when Christians are both prosecuted and persecuted. Christians may be killed and churches closed. The Faith as we know it in America may never be the same. If that is God’s will as “The Great Falling Away” that precedes the return of Christ… so be it to God’s glory! Then again, revival could also break out at any time too!
I know I may sound fatalistic, but I’m not (God give me the strength!). I’m just so ready for Christ to return that whatever hastens it I pray will happen. This much I know, God has promised never to leave or forsake us… Jesus has promised to be with us always, even to the end of the age… both Jesus and The Holy Spirit pray for Christians continually… and God is still on His throne.
I too am troubled by the things that could happen… but Jesus reminded me not to worry about tomorrow. I too am concerned for the moral future of American that my grandchildren will grow up in. If the promises that have been made are kept… Abortion will not be repealed, Gay marriage will become law, redistribution of wealth will take place, and many other things I find morally troubling.
But what if these are part of God’s plan for Jesus to return in power and glory to establish His Kingdom? I will oppose immorality and pray for Christ’s soon return.
I understand your anxiety… I’ve tasted it myself and it is bitter. So I am choosing to “Trust in the Lord with all my heart and not lean on my own understanding.” I pray you will do the same…
Ron
Ron; I enjoy your messages. Please keep them coming. I have not previously written to you but the dialogue about the election of Obama really struck a chord. I understand that there was great celebrations in Iraq, Iran, et al the other Muslim nations as a result of the election results. I agree with your friend Mark when he says: “My view is that the US will have to become irrelevant on the world stage for things to play out.” I too think that our beloved country is on the way out as a factor in world affairs. The timing of GOD is perfect and according to my understanding of prophecy, the time of the Rapture is very near. I believe that insofar as the USA is concerned, we will be a non-factor in the very near future. I do not believe Obama has the courage to resist the Muslims. In fact, he may even be their “planted” ally in accordance with the will of GOD. I believe that Ez. 38:13 is speaking of the USA specifically. Let’s face it, GOD does not do things hap-hazardly. Look at the sequence of events and the geometric progression that is implied:Creation at 4000 +/- BC, Abraham at 2000 BC, Moses and the Law at 1500 BC, David at 1000 BC, Our Lord and Savior at 0, and now, about 2000 years after Christ. These events can not be used directly as a time for the end but they sure are interesting to contemplate. I fully expect the Rapture of the Church within the next 2 or 3 years and if I am wrong, I’ll just continue to study the Word of GOD and try to exercise my gifts, such as they are. I have great respect for you, Ron, as a brother in Christ and as a student of His Word. Have a good day.
You can get down and be in despair or you can realize who is in control and today we are another day closer to the end of our pilgrim journey through this world.
Just like Abraham we are looking forward to the promise.