Today’s Lectio Divina: Excerpts from Psalm 14. (MsgB)
God sticks His head out of heaven. He looks around. He’s looking for someone not stupid — one man, even, God-expectant, just one God-ready woman.
As I see it, the Bible has a very plain and simple message from beginning to end.
GOD IS ALWAYS LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD MEN & WOMEN.
People who are willing to step outside the fray of life and be pro-actively involved in bringing God’s heaven-sent solutions to man’s earth-filled problems.
I’m reminded of the biblical story surrounding King David as he came into his kingship about 1,000 years prior to the birth of Christ. In 1st Chronicles 12, we find a long list of all of those tribes who were supporting David’s candidacy. Leaders who would eventually serve with King David as they stepped into the demanding position of overseeing the government of Israel in very troubling times. In verse 32 of 1st Chronicles 12, we’re given a very unique verse about 200 extraordinary men who were supporters of King David. (NIV)
…from Issachar, men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do—200 chiefs, with all their relatives under their command;
This passage has always intrigued me over the years. What might a son or daughter of Issachar look like in our generation? What is God looking for today as He sticks His head out of heaven and looks across America?
In a nation that is consumed with politics, my sense is that God is not looking for Red. Nor is He looking for Blue. Not Democrats. Not Republicans. Not Independents.
God isn’t seeking for men looking left. Nor is He looking for women leaning right.
If I read Psalm 14 correctly, I believe God is looking for men and women who are simply looking upward. Sons (and daughters) of Issachar with their eyes looking up to heaven with their arms open wide toward one other. Men and women who understand the severity of the times we live in and know how to respond during such turbulent times.
My fellow Americans, might I suggest that you and I stop looking to the government or to elected officials to solve our biggest problems. While our national debt is devastating, the nagging economy and unemployment numbers daunting, as I see it, it’s our national deficit of love that truly is our greatest enemy.
William Penn, in his preface to the Frame of Government of Pennsylvania in 1682, said, this:
“Governments, like clocks, go from the motion men give them, and as governments are made and moved by men, so by them they are ruined too. Governments depend upon men, (not) men upon governments. Let men be good, and the government cannot be bad; if it be ill, they will cure it. But, if men be bad, let the government be ever so good, they will endeavor to warp and spoil it to their turn.”
Government is not the answer, my friends. Elections, not the solution.
People are the answer. We Americans, everyday common folk living in the four corners of this great country, are the key to America’s future. Jesus of Nazareth said it well. “A house divided can’t stand.”
So here’s my advice.
Be politically involved. Be well-informed, well-read, and vote your conscience on each and every election day. But get ready to be a PEACEMAKER OF GOD on the day after each election!
Let us remind ourselves that the Scriptures contain all we truly need to help us in the days ahead. In the Old Testament book of Micah (6:8), we find this concise summary…
He has shown you, O man, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
My prayer: God, as You stick Your head out of heaven, may You find what You are looking for. Forgive us when we, Your people, get caught up with majoring on the minors, focusing on political causes rather than seeking first the Kingdom of God. May Your agenda trump our political agendas in America today and may Your will be done over and above the will of the people. For Your name’s sake. Amen.
My questions to ponder: Is my life reflecting those qualifications described in God’s Word (Psalm 14: 2, 1st Chronicles 12: 32, and Micah 6:8)? Am I God-expectant? God-ready? Am I a man who knows the times I live in and am I acting accordingly? Am I a person who acts justly, loves mercy and is walking humbly with my God?
So what is God speaking to you today as you ponder the Psalms?
Over a 50-week period, you and I will take a deeper look at The Psalms: God’s Songbook of Prayers. In order to keep all the blog sessions organized, we suggest you bookmark our Contemplating the Psalms home page for ease of use. Keep in mind that one of the best ways to explore the on-going applications of this blog series is to walk alongside a biblically-based, Christ-centered spiritual director who is familiar with how to make material like this part of your overall spiritual formation in God. Many of our directors in our Sustainable Faith-Heartland network are available to companion you in your journey with Jesus. Click here for more info.
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