Encouraging Post

Well, I'm about over my "pout" and ready to accept things regarding the election and the future of our country. I am a very black and white kind of person and it's so easy for me to get caught up in what I see as injustice and not be willing to immediately make the decision to "walk by faith and not by sight". But I am thankful for a God that loves me just the way I am and knows my heart.

I received this email today from a friend of mine who lives in Virginia. She has a relative that went to Evangel College in Springfield, MO (one of the Assemblies of God schools) and sat under Professor Holsinger.

He is the author of the email and I found it very encouraging and edifying:

"I was up at 6 this morning. And you know what, the Sun came up as usual. God is apparently still in charge of His World.

America, (unlike so many other countries), had Founding Fathers and Mothers who built into our "Constitutional form" what we call checks and balances to prevent ALL power from ever being given to any entity by an implosive moment.

The current ,and more conservative and thoughtful Supreme Cout (that was strengthened by Bush appointments), and the inability of the Senate to approve laws too quickly or make impulsive change because of its rules does show the wisdom of our Founders. They not only set up 'checks & balances', but wisely stressed that our Rights do not come from government and the words and laws of politicians, but rather they come from God. That means that Americans have been taught to believe that only God could take them away -- not the government. It is a good emphasis.

God has given all men Freedom of Choice. That is an awesome privilege and also responsibility. Imagine, God giving us the right to make choices that He does not approve of ! But the other side of that privilege is that we must then live with the consequences of such decisions -- whether they were wise or foolish. That is awesome and scary.

BUT, God, (being ever merciful and compassionate), has given us in His Holy Word instruction that He can keep us form the worst of the consequences of our foolish decisions.

We all know the words of St. Paul that we should pray for rulers and God will then bring blessing to our nation. [We must keep in mind that God was talking about an evil and wicked ruler, Nero, put into office by the people. And, incidentally, the same thing happened in Israel when they foolishly wanted a king.] But PRAYER, ( God has told us), can alter the evil consequences of poor political choices.

So this is OUR Christian opportunity and guidance in history.

In perplexing moments, I frequently find God's encouragement and instruction in the great hymns of our Protestant piety. I took time this morning to read and affirm the truth of Martin Luther's great hymn (A Mighty Fortress) and also the encouraging words of "This is My Father's World" (written in the confusing times of the late 1800's). I read them and affirmed with their writers that 'even though this world with devils filled should threaten to undo us, we will not fear for God has willed His Truth to triumph through us' ; and that 'this is My Father's World, and though the wrong is oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.'

It is joyous and comforting to affirm God's truth.

So this is NOT a time for despair. We affirm God's great Truth with the millions of Christians throughout the ages that "God is the Ruler yet" and we PRAY as He told us to do 'for rulers that we might live peaceful lives' and then we KNOW and CAN AFFIRM that God is going to turn difficulties into good.

May all of us Christians here in America do what God has told us to do in regard to our political situations. We should affirm once again His Rulership of our Lives and of His World. We know that if we do this, He is going to Bless our Land and protect and guide our lives and those of our friends and families.

Despair is not a word in the Christian vocabulary.

Blessings on you. And may God Bless America and help our nation to continue to fulfill His Purposes in His World."

AMEN!!