Good morning,
Living in Triumph
Well, the day for voting for our leaders in America has come and gone, but the outcome is still not fully settled. In some cases they still have to finish counting the ballots and in others, the people who have lost are still doing all they can to question and complain because of the outcome. What has become quite clear is that there is a very strong feeling on the part of most of our leaders to walk away from the values that were laid out by our founders. In an article last week by Franklin Graham in their Decision magazine he wrote, “The further our nation moves away from God, the quicker our descent into greater moral depravity and chaos. I fear for what is in store for our children and grandchildren.” The problem that we face here in America is that we are not alone in our leadership changes. Most of the countries of the world have long ago turned their backs on believing and obeying the biblical guidelines that God has given all of humanity to follow. We are now being forced to accept that our leaders at almost every layer of society will demand that we and our children accept their sinful standards or become enemies of the state.
The really GOOD NEWS is that when you look at all of history, it has always been this way. Paul points out in Romans that, The sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over us, but all who receive God's wonderful, gracious gift of righteousness will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.(5:17) When King David wrote Psalm 23 he didn’t yet know the name of Jesus but he wrote with confidence, The LORD is my shepherd; I have everything I need.(Ps.23:1) It has always been true that adults and children have been at risk when surrounded by hateful, self centered people, but what did David say. Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.(Ps.23:4) Much later in the history of the Jews, the Prophet Isaiah told the people of his day that some day they would be driven from their beloved country. The Lord told him to write, Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.(Isa.41:10) The Lord has always been there to take care of his own threatened family. The Lord also said, Despised though you are, O Israel, don't be afraid, for I will help you. I am the LORD, your Redeemer. I am the Holy One of Israel.’(Isa.41:14) The power of hatred and rebellion and self centered people and rebellious angels has never, and never will be, able to keep God from taking care of his own. Then we have the promise of Jesus himself when he told his followers, And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, who will never leave you.(John 14:16) Then he followed that promise with, No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you.(v.18) Praise God, we may have a challenging time here on earth, but we, as his children, will soon be home and will live in peace and joy through all of eternity.
Romans 5:17 The sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over us, but all who receive God's wonderful, gracious gift of righteousness will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.
Roy Wisner
