I have been reviewing some old Words for the Day posts in preparation of compiling some of them into a book. I ran across one written prior to our last presidential election, (see below). I think you will find my observations in October of 2008 and our current state of affairs interesting.
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“It is amazing how people fret about everything from the ozone layer depletion, to the economy. All of that fretting and worry coming from all over the world accomplishes absolutely nothing positive. Einstein once wrote: “A happy man is too satisfied with the present to dwell too much on the future.” How many of us worry ourselves silly about the future? Einstein, (indicative of the genius that he was), hit the nail on the head when he said a “happy” man is too “satisfied” with the present to dwell too much on the future.
We should be happy during our brief stay in this world. Worry and happiness are not synergetic to each other and thus the intelligent choice would be to eliminate worry and enjoy our happiness. The Bible wisely tells us not to worry about the future and to trust in our Father to take care of things. Our forefathers recognized this by inscribing on our currency, “In God we trust”. As with too many things in the Bible in this day and age, this wise advice is largely ignored by both Christians and non-Christians alike and certainly today’s politicians.
When we really get stressed out, we should step back and take a look at the bigger picture. That is hard to do, especially when it concerns something important like the election. I admit that I’m concerned about Obama winning the election. Most folks that I know fear his tax policies and his march towards moving our country towards socialism if not outright communism, but I am more concerned about spiritual issues like abortion, particularly partial birth abortion. I worry that under his leadership it will not only continue, but become rampant and hundreds of thousands more innocent children will be slaughtered. I am concerned about our “nation” condoning homosexuality and legalizing same sex marriage. I am concerned that pornography will become even more commonplace on television and the Internet in the name of free speech.
Folks seem determined to vote their pocketbooks and not their moral compass. I am concerned that God, who cannot lie, tells us in no uncertain terms that if a nation turns its back on Him, He will likewise turn His back on it. He has done it many times before; read your Bible! Ask yourself, are we as a nation moving towards, or away from being “One nation under God” and believing with all of our fiber, “In God we trust”?
Faced with all of these troubling thoughts, what is the “big picture” that we need to step back and take a look at to find some comfort? We must recognize that everything is working out according to God’s plan and His timetable and God is calm, cool, collected and in complete control, even when the world seems to be careening wildly off course.
The Bible clearly predicts that the world will become more evil as we enter the Last Days. When the major powers of the world met to begin nationalizing banks and currency last week in an effort to help a staggering global economy, it was a giant leap forward towards one world government; (a one world government that the anti-Christ will soon rule). Watch for these same leaders to turn on Israel, perhaps after they strike Iran and its nuclear facilities as a final straw.
The bad news is that this charismatic satanic leader will rise up and with supernatural powers deceive the world and eventually convince the masses to worship him. The good news (for Christians that is) will be that we will be joining our Holy Father in the Rapture and will not be around to endure the judgment that will rain down on him and all humanity during his brief term in office.
In the big scheme of things we are just one small step away from God ending death, sadness, sorrow, and chaos in this world and chaining satan up in hell forever.
That my friends is the good news.
All the worry in the world will not change one thing. We should realize that before the beginning of time as we know it God ordained that these things must transpire; however prayer does help. If we pray for things that are within the will of God, He will answer them for us. If our nation would find revival, God might delay His judgment. God desires for us to put our complete trust and faith in Him particularly in these last days. Things will definitely get worse as the world becomes more and more evil and turns its back on God and His laws, the Bible assures us of that; however if we personally put our complete trust and faith in God, He will draw close to us, bless us, and comfort us through it all.
It has to be disheartening to Him to see us worry. It is as if we do not trust Him to handle things. Let us leave the future to God, pray for the things that we think that we need, and enjoy the ride as best we can.”
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Several have asked for specifics concerning the prayer event for our nation and the upcoming election to be held at Honey Lake Plantation Church. It will be held between 4:00 and 5:30 on October 7th. More details as to who will be speaking etc. will be forthcoming as time marches on. Mark your calendars – I hope to see you there.
Psalms 84:12
O Lord of hosts,
Blessed is the man who trusts
in You!