Thought for Today
1 Kings 11:6 Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and did not fully follow the LORD, as did his father David.
2 Chronicles 22:4 He did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, as the house of Ahab had done; for after the death of his father they were his counselors, to his ruin.
Matthew 23:29 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous, 30 and you say, 'If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.'
John 4:20 Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you say that the place where people must worship is in Jerusalem."
Much of the public media today is focused on the events in Alaska yesterday. Most agree that something historic happened there. No one seems to agree on how history will ultimately assess those events, positively or negatively. I am reminded of an adage, usually applied to economists but equally applicable to most who are commenting today, “Often wrong, but never in doubt.” Another phrase comes readily to mind this morning, “Rush to judgment.”
I wrote recently, “We experience time primarily in the present. Humans are mostly captive to the ‘right now.’ Our languages have multiple verb tenses, but our lives are in the present tense. Our memories are in the past. Our hopes are in the future. Our reality is right in front of our faces.” History is more about perspective and analysis of outcomes over time than it is about instantaneous evaluation.
What is true about national and international events is equally true about our faith in that sense. The Bible is not intended to be a historical textbook. There are elements of history in the Bible. The Old Testament books of Kings and Chronicles are a historical account, but they are written from the perspective of faith. There is a common phrase, “Victors write the history books.” It applies also to the Bible. Our cannon text has been evaluated, assessed and debated for centuries. Did Solomon intentionally, knowingly and deliberately do “evil in the sight of the LORD?” Did Ahaziah? I suspect few kings or rulers at any time intentionally, knowingly and deliberately did “evil in the sight of the LORD?” Irrespectively of party affiliation, I believe the same is true of Presidents of the United States of America.
This morning, as a Christian, what am I to think as I read and listen to all of the opinions offered by ‘experts’ and ‘authorities?’ How am I to form my own opinions of current events? Hopefully, to those who know me best, my first thought is to remember Micah 6:8. “He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” I need time to assess whatever agreements were reached and to evaluate them in terms of justice, kindness and humility.
Maybe the second scripture applicable to all of these considerations are those words of Jesus, “John 8:31 Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."
I believe what Jesus spoke to the Jews is applicable to us all. What is the truth of which Jesus spoke? I believe it is the gospel, the message of God’s love, grace and forgiveness. I believe the truth of which Jesus spoke is the reality of John 3:16-17, "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”
Only time will tell us how whatever was spoken or agreed to yesterday between those 2 politicians represents justice, kindness, humility and/or truth. No matter what we read, hear of even think this morning, only time will give us the answer. It is okay to listen, to read, to ponder what ‘experts’ and ‘authorities’ posit. It is okay to form opinions. It is not okay to rush to judgment, to laud or condemn based on rash, emotionally charged predispositions.
The best thing any Christian can do today . . . and every day is to pray to our Creator God. Listen to those familiar words of the Lord’s Prayer, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Let’s pray for and work toward that.
Stay safe, pray often and ardently, trust God,
Pastor Ray