elections

Just as He Had Done Before

/ pastorpete51 / 4 Comments

Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. Daniel 6:10 NIV

In this hour, when there has been handwringing, frustration and anger among some conservative Christians about the recent election results we need to remember the story of Daniel. He certainly faced an election defeat far greater than ours. I doubt that any of us, at least here in the United States are worried we will be thrown into a den filed with hungry lions: but Daniel did. He knew the decree had been signed, he understood the gravity of the punishment, and yet we do not hear him complaining, making a public scene or running away. Instead, Daniel did exactly what he had always done before: He prayed! Daniel didn’t run to God in a panic, He got on his knees and asked for help, just as he had always done, and he did it three times a day. Maybe our trouble is that, when our ideas have won elections, been popularly trumpeted on social media and gained us acclaim, we have gotten to like being patted on the back. But if our courage is based on the world’s acceptance, we are building our house on a bed of sand. Today the rains are falling, the storms are rising and just as promised, they will beat on our houses of faith. Whether we stand or fall does not depend on the severity of the storm but on the strength of our foundation. Knowing that the world’s decrees are signed against us must not make us fearful but should inspire us to pray. We can trust always Him, because He has promised to be with us not only in a lion’s den, but in every situation, both today and forever!

Daniel Still Prayed

/ pastorpete51 / 7 Comments

When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously. Daniel 6:10 ESV

Unless you have been living in a cave for the last two years, you know that there is an important election tomorrow. Whatever the outcome, there will be a lot of unhappy people on Wednesday morning. As I thought over the various outcomes for both the presidency as well as both houses of Congress I was drawn to this verse from Daniel and have been encouraged by his example. When Daniel woke up the morning after the election, he found out that his party was the loser. His prayer life had been declared illegal, and there were deadly consequences for him if he continued to pray. But none of these facts seemed to bother Daniel. When he learned the news, he didn’t kick the cat, throw the coffee pot or run over to his neighbors to complain. Instead, the Bible tells us that Daniel woke up, had his morning coffee, opened his window, just as he always did and got down on his knees to pray! No that’s an example worth following!

When I get so drawn into the political and social storms that are raging all around, I need to remind myself that not every day will be sunny, and the roses cannot always be in bloom. Being faithful to Christ will rarely be applauded by the world we live in, and that only when we follow Jesus, can we discover that his grace and strength can carry us through whatever lies ahead. So, this morning I pray that each one of us can keep Daniel’s perspective. Pray for our nation, we certainly need it! Trust that whatever the outcome, God remains the ruler of the universe: His term will never expire, and He loved us enough to send His one and only Son, to suffer and die for our sins. Now that is good news worth living for, and it is also good news worth dying for!

Hope in the Middle of Worry

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All our striving, worrying and stress comes from the mistaken belief that if we just tried a little harder or worked a little longer that we could win God favor. But Jesus Christ freely gives us rest for heart and soul as we discover in God alone our true acceptance and love and power to live for Him!

No matter what the world throws at us today or who wins the election – Jesus never changes. He is always the Good Shepherd and offers to be our friend. What is your answer to Him? This week’s song session includes Take my Life and Let it Be, What a Friend We Have in Jesus and Near to the Heart of God. May God bless you richly with His peace so that even with the world in chaos around us we can have a message of the hope of Jesus Christ.