Religion & Politics

Religion and Politics: the two topics you are not supposed to discuss in polite company.

I have not backed down from discussing my religious views with this audience, particularly how our Christian faith has pulled us through some very tough times and how the Holy Spirit has played a large role in this blog.  However, I will indeed choose not to discuss politics other than to share with you something very interesting I heard on Tuesday, Election Day.

I was listening to the Janet Mefferd show (if you have not heard her, or of her, please give her a try sometime.) Near the end of her program, she expressed to her audience the realities of God’s love and providence for us despite our political affiliations and despite the outcome of the election. She proceeded to read the entirety of Psalm 96 (reproduced below).

What a breath of fresh air for us during this, and any, tumultuous time. Whether we fear the governing body or look forward to it, we are confident in the love and power of the Lord. This confidence boosted us during our struggles with Jacob’s health and during our mourning. Knowledge of and trust in God’s goodness, justice, and grace puts everything into perspective.

I’ve read the last page of the Bible. It’s all going to turn out all right. – Billy Graham

Now is as good a time as any to sit down with friends and family and pray together. Pray for godly leadership in government, and that the Lord use these men and women for His good will. Praying together with young children will also help counter the rhetoric, angst and hatred they will see in the days to come on television news shows and even among their young friends. They need to hear the message repeated: God is in control. How comforting.

Oh sing to the Lord a new song;
    sing to the Lord, all the earth!
² Sing to the Lord, bless his name;
    tell of his salvation from day to day.
³ Declare his glory among the nations,
    his marvelous works among all the peoples!
⁴ For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
    he is to be feared above all gods.
⁵ For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,
    but the Lord made the heavens.
⁶ Splendor and majesty are before him;
    strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

⁷ Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
    ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!
⁸ Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
    bring an offering, and come into his courts!
⁹ Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness;
    tremble before him, all the earth!

¹⁰ Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!
    Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved;
    he will judge the peoples with equity.”

¹¹ Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
    let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
¹²     let the field exult, and everything in it!
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
¹³     before the Lord, for he comes,
    for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness,
    and the peoples in his faithfulness.