Well, it’s over and our team didn’t win (no, I’m not talking about the Georgia/Florida game). Barack Obama and Joe Biden have been elected to serve as the next President and Vice President of these United States. For many, this will be a day of shock and sadness, fear and dread. I woke up this morning with a threatening spirit (i.e., demon) trying to push me to fear. My wife suggested that it might be the appropriate response, given the position these two men have on the moral issues (e.g., abortion, gay rights). I think she is right. Feeling threatened might be just what we need; the proverbial wake-up call. Perhaps it was a spirit of fear trying to drawing me in – using the threat to its advantage. Fortunately, I have the word of God to guide and encourage me.
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2Timothy 1:7
With this verse in mind, I would like to offer a few constructive responses.
Power: Begin fighting battles where we have authority, instead of trying to establish our authority where we don’t belong. The church must recognize that the American political system has failed her – as all desires for a “king” will. When Israel demanded a king (to be like all the other nations), God passionately warned them that they would regret their desire (See Samuel 8). They persisted and God gave them what they asked for. When Jesus came bringing the Kingdom of Heaven, He was offering a redo; and the church traded the kingdoms of this world for His; that is, until Constantine convinced them that they would be better off integrated with the ruling government. It wasn’t long before the “Christian” government began martyring those that refused to go along. They had become polluted and corrupted. “Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” James 4:4. It seems to me that the church has proven its inability to walk the fine line of friendship to the world and God – many times. When will we stop trying?
Scriptures tell us that “the weapons of our warfare are not carnal (worldly), but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, and casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God…” 2Corinthians 10:4-5. Ephesians 6:10 exhorts us to “be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” The “power” mentioned here is “His dominion authority”, or “His power to reign”. It is authority we are to be strong in – against the principalities, powers and rulers of this dark age (v. 12). No, these are not our political enemies. They are fallen angels that serve satan in a great demonic army. Our authority is in the spiritual realm; and we have been given authority over satan and his forces. Lastly, this same verse reminds us that our battles are not with flesh and blood… if we are fighting in the authority we have been given.
Love: Obey and trust the Lord with love. Is it possible that we are being distracted from loving the Lord with all our heart, mind and strength? Are we loving our neighbors as ourselves (even the ones that voted “wrong”)? The church has given its heart to the American Dream; and the political system has become an idol. Many in the church continue to pray that God would dress up our idol, rather than tear it down. The church must repent and return to her first love. He is our only hope. He has a dream for each of us that is immeasurably greater than what is becoming the American Nightmare for the church.
The enemy’s most lethal strategy has been to divide and conquer. Oh, how he must laugh at us for thinking this strategy was our invention. He began using it with the angels, and we’ve been victims of it since the Garden of Eden – separate them from God, separate them from each other. I know many are hoping that our new president and vice president will bridge the division in this nation; but this is just not a realistic expectation. First, they are not powerful enough in the natural realm; and, second, they are not operating in the realm where the true battle for unity is taking place. Only the power of God, in love, will protect the church from dividing further. The church must come together in agreement with Christ prayer in John 17:23, trusting our King to make the most of our differences. And we must battle in the spiritual realm against the demons that continue to divide us.
Sound Mind: Obtain wisdom in the fear of the Lord. The Lord has promised much for those that will fear Him (e.g., wisdom, provision, victory). What would it do for the church to take a deep breath, stop trying to change this country through the political system, and just seek God’s face? What if we surrendered ourselves to His purpose? What if we counted the cost of His plan, and agreed to sacrifice for it? What if we submitted to the power, gifting and fruit of the Holy Spirit for the transformational work He has for us in our communities? Could we trust Him for the rest? Of course we could; and we would find joyful, Spirit-filled ministry in the process. As we fear Him, He will transform us by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:1-2); until we have the mind of Christ. The alternative is conformity to the world (and enmity with Him).
In closing, please keep in mind that there are no coincidences for God’s children. Each of us is here for such a time as this. The Lord is calling out those that will lay down their lives for their friends. Our King has called us His friends. He has laid His life down for us. The reasonable response is for us to do the same. He is shaking us so that which remains cannot be shaken. The church in America is being offered a do-over. We can still choose Him as our King – the gospel of the Kingdom (Mark 1:15) is the reign of God in the hearts of men. Our King will not share His throne with anyone or anything; but He will not force you off of it. I encourage you to pray for revelation regarding the throne of your heart – have you stepped down in the fear of the Lord.
Your servant in Christ,
Rob
P.S. An additional encouragement: Find community in your family and/or fellowship. A day is coming when we will no longer be able to survive on our own. We will need more than a few whom we can each trust and who can trust us – I mean really trust. Seek and you will find – the Lord is making us into a body that will be His Bride.