What Now? Going Forwrd.

 How do you feel about the past months? There are few places where the events of CoVid19 has not had an impact and if you are in the USA you can add the joy of a national election. Much of life has been disrupted. The question for all of us, and especially believers, is, "What now?" How do we move forward from where we are to where we need to be. For some it is a time of great distress. It seems the powers of darkness have gained more than a foothold and the future is uncertain in the midst of a growing darkness. Should the USA, indeed, be guided by a new administration things are likely to change. 

For some it is a time of rejoicing with the potential removal of an arrogant and un-presidential tyrant. Then there is the promise of free healthcare, free education, forgiven student loans, a guaranteed income with the government taking care of them. The government only wants what is best for us. We just need to be compliant. 

For others it will be the codification of the "right" to kill babies and to progressively move toward the elimination of those who lack the quality of life that would prove to be a drain on society. They see an expansion of government control that tells us religious practice is "nonessential" and religious conviction is disallowed as "hate speech". The pandemic has been an effective tool to limit worship meetings and penalize people of faith. Numerous governors has become lush with new powers that control the lives of the masses. All in the name of keeping us safe. The proposed plan is to regulate what you drive, where you live, how much energy you can use and how to protect yourself and your family. A false security with the price tag being your freedom and liberty. Either view leaves you wondering what to do from here.

It occurred to me that we, as followers of Messiah Jesus, have been given a plan, a guideline, to follow from the Word of God. That should not be unexpected. However, the truth that most of us have already memorized the directions might come as a surprise. In this, and a followup post or two, I want to give a possible answer that God impressed upon my heart in the quiet of the night while I recovered from some mild food poisoning. Yes, sometimes the LORD has to put me on the recliner looking up to see what He has for me. This is not a vision wrought from indigestion but just some thoughts that rolled over me when the silence outweighed the usual conflagration of my overactive midnight brain. Matthew and Luke give variations of the direction from the Lord. It is a simple answer given by the Lord as a response to a simple "How" question brought by His disciples. We will use Matthew's account but either gives us an answer to give us hope and remind us that. perhaps, nothing has really changed.

Mathew gives us this message in Matthew 6:9-13. I invite you to give voice to these familiar verses with me, "Our Father, Who art in heaven, holy is Your name, Your kingdom come Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive our debts as we forgive our debtors, lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one, for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen" (a slightly modified version of the NKJV). These verses can serve both as a reminder and a map to follow as we continue our journey with the God of all creation and His Son, Messiah Jesus, empowered by His Holy Spirit. It helps keep my mind straight and it helps that I learned this through simple repetition as a child never thinking, "Oh, this comes from Matthew 6". Childhood memories to the rescue.

"Our Father, Who art in heaven". Turning our attention to our heavenly Father in times of foggy reality is never a bad place to begin. He is the personal God and Father Who invites us to call Him, Abba. The intimate name from a child to their daddy. He is the Father Who hears and understands. He is the Father that has a heavenly perspective. One Who sees beyond our limited existence and experience. He has worked in the past, through every difficulty we can imagine. He is not unaware of our situation or the thoughts that may bring unrest and discomfort to our thoughts and emotions. He is not bound by politics or elections. He was not absent through four hundred years of slavery or the forty years of wilderness wanderings. He did not forsake David as he cowered in the caves or Daniel as he stood, in faith, among the lions. He was not absent at the cross nor did He abandon the women at the empty tomb. I can trust my Heavenly Father to be with me today. Perhaps, I just need to hear His words to David and "Be still and know He is God" (Psalm 46:10). Like Elijah, I wait for the mighty wind, or earthquake, or roaring fire, and miss the "still small voice" (1 Kings 19). No matter what the day brings I can rest in Him.

"Holy is Your name". The name above all names. The unspoken name among His Hebrew children as they show deference and respect to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He is our loving Father. He is also the awesome God of all creation. He is not to be taken lightly or for granted. He name is separated from every other name. Our God shares this nobility with His Son, "Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth" (Philippians 2:9-10). Ephesians 1:21 offers a similar truth, That His Son Messiah is "far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come." No matter how the enemy works to turn God's name or the name of His Son into a meaningless profanity it does not change the reality of the holiness of His name. In time all of mankind will recognize that truth and bow before Him. We should not allow the turmoil of this present age to overshadow the wonder of His name or the power of His presence.

We have a more to consider from this familiar prayer given to us by the Lord Himself. Those will find their way to Torah Paranoia in the weeks to come. However, perhaps this will give you a few things to reflect upon and ponder. Perhaps it is a prayer you can revive as you enter each day and maybe, just maybe this prayer was given to us for such a time as this.   

Does God Know Who Will Win?

Tomorrow is election day here in the USA. The question one could ask is, "Does God know who will win?" This thought can apply to most any situation. Perhaps the more compelling question is,  "Does God ordain who will win?" Whether it is a political contest, some military conflict, the World Cup or some other sporting event. Just how much does God control? As believers we often fine solace in the phrase, "At least we know God is in control." A true statement and a place to find comfort in the midst of whatever storms of life we may find ourselves. We understand God to be sovereign, Who will always accomplish His will. This is also true, however, I have observed this to be an excuse to avoid responsibility as much as a theological reality to hold to. If God is in ultimate control, than what decisions and actions I take have little consequence. I can go through life avoiding taking action and rest in His sovereignty while building up immunity to the conviction of His Spirit.

This is not what we find in Scripture. God does indeed know outcomes but He grants us the freedom and responsibility to take action. It is clear that there are more than one possible outcomes to events based upon our actions. The intervention of human beings in tangible situations changes things. If not then our relationship with Yahweh is a sham. "The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." Or so James tells us (James 5:16). The only way fervent prayer avails much is if there is a response from the one prayed to, allowing for change to occur. In 2 Kings 13, Elisha comes to King Joash and tells him to strike the ground with some arrows. Joash strikes the ground three times. Elisha rebukes him for the striking f the ground represents victories God would grant him over Israel's enemies. God will give the victories, however, Joash is responsible for how many. There are a number of possible outcomes depending upon Joash. God does not make Joash stop after striking the ground only three times.

God had promised judgement upon Judah for their terrible sin. His judgement is withheld for a time due to the righteous actions of King Josiah (see 2 Kings 23). We can point to Abraham's intervention for Sodom or Moses being an advocate for the Nation of Israel on numerous occasions. The whole concept of prayer is contingent on the reality of diverse outcomes to different circumstances. If this is not so then there is no reason to pray for healing or direction if God has predetermined the outcome. In the bigger picture God will use whatever path that is chosen to accomplish His ultimate will. Yet, in the day to day reality we live in the decisions we make truly do matter. The kindness we show or withhold will grant different outcomes. A witness to a neighbor, friend or coworker may not change their view of God immediately, however, it does not mean we are not responsible to share a word. The excuse that, in the sovereignty of God, they will hear the truth eventually does not excuse our inaction. God's will can be accomplished down some other path but, you had a choice to direct the path to be taken at the time.

In the election facing the USA tomorrow, I believe God knows the outcome, I also believe there are two possible paths we can take. The choice is ours to make. The consequences are ours to bear. Both candidates are flawed. Some would say more so than in any time in recent history. However, the two main choices represent two distinct philosophies of governing. More or less Government control or our lives. The opportunity for the next president to place judges on the Supreme Court will have repercussions for a generation or longer. Things in God's Word could be labeled "hate speech" and become illegal to preach. Education in a home or private setting could fall under the control of a federal agency who will determine what can be taught to another generation. I am not an alarmist or a conspiracy nut, however, I am aware of the regulations placed by other governments who have chosen the path of government control. There will be consequences no matter what choices are made.

Will God still be in charge after the election? Of course. Just as He was when Portugal won the World Cup. The ramifications in this election just have the potential to be far more important than a sporting event. As believers we can trust in the sovereign hand of God to keep us and to bring about the Lord's will. There is the distinct possibility that His judgement upon a wayward and ever growing Godless nation can be withheld or accelerated. The path is ours to choose. As one looks at the prophetic passages of Scripture there is a clear absence of a reference to the USA. Perhaps it is because we are not a nation of consequence upon the events of the final days before Messiah's return. Perhaps that is the path we are choosing. That is a thought to be considered in a future post. Today's thought is the truth that we have choices to make and paths to follow that will determine God's activity in our midst. My hope is that fervent prayer will come before His throne of grace and that it will avail much on behalf of the nation I live in. For the sake of my children, my grandchildren, my beloved flock I shepherd, my community and even the world. Would you pause and offer a prayer to the sovereign God of the universe?