In God We Trust

After my morning run on January 6th, I joined with others from SWAG for a time of prayer on Zoom. Much of the time praying concentrated on the country, the rallies in Washington, DC and across the country. We prayed against violence, property damage and loss of life. We prayed that God would speak to his followers at the rallies to act and react honorably. Unfortunately, our prayers were not answered the way I had hoped. As the morning unfolded, my heart broke as I watched the events unfold in Washington, DC. Not since 1812 has the nation’s capital experienced anything like yesterday’s tragic events. Protestors defiled the space where every president has given their State of the Union address, laws have been made, wars have been declared and heroes of our country have laid “in-state.” Many of you have visited the Capital and experienced the sacred space that was violated. The debate over who the protestors were, and their motives will extend long into the future. In my mind, it doesn’t matter who they were or their motives, the desecration of the Capital yesterday is one of the saddest days our country has experienced in my lifetime. If God was involved in the formation of America, and I believe that He was, tears were streaming down his face. I believe God wept yesterday. Followers of Jesus must concentrate on obeying the truths of Scripture. We need to repent of shameful attitudes and, speaking words that bring death instead of life. We must focus on loving our neighbors and our enemies, praying for our leaders, our country, and standing against the forces of darkness that provoke evil. “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.” (Psalms 20:7 NIV) Follower of Jesus, will you turn from trusting in “red and blue chariots and horses” and trust in God? Will you live like you are trusting God? Will you speak like you are trusting God? Will you pray like you are trusting God? Will you love others like you are trusting God? The legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government will not redeem the shameful conduct of 2020 and the unimaginable events of yesterday. What “the enemy meant for evil, God can use for good.“ (Gen. 50:20: See the story of Joseph from Genesis 45-50, if you are not familiar with this verse.) God will only be able to work redemption if the followers of Jesus respond like Joseph the patriarch did almost 4,000 years ago. If Joseph had not responded as he did, with integrity and forgiveness, God would not have used what was meant for evil to bring about a good outcome. Jesus called the church the salt of the earth and the light of the world. The country will putrefy, and the world will continue to slide into darkness if followers of Jesus lose their saltiness and hide the light! Be as the salt, be the light, be Jesus to this lost and decaying nation. Matt