January 13, 2021
Have we lost FAITH or are we simply LOST?
“You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible. ””Matthew 17:20 NLT
So many have lost faith in our Government and in our Democracy here in the U.S. Many have felt the schism for years between our Government and the people they supposedly represent. Many have followed the cry to drain the Washington swamp and make America Great Again, believing in not only the MAN behind those words, but they’ve believed in the vision of a better United States. Still others believe in the status quo kind of Government with a dose of left wing extremes.
After the last election in November and the questions of voter fraud were brought to light, the loss of FAITH in our Government and many of it’s leaders, rose drastically. Tempers and rage swelled within and between parties and thus we saw the volcano of distrust, anger and loss of Faith in our Government explode on January 6, as we all witnessed American citizens, toting our American Flag and Trump flags as they stormed our U.S. CAPITOL. I understand the unbearable frustration, disappointment and anger after the recent election and a growing concern over voter fraud, but violence is never the answer.
I have a friend and Rabbi that was part of the peaceful, prayerful march that preceded the violent intrusion on the Capitol. He was on the steps of the Capitol building praying that those in authority would listen to the anguished cry for justice voiced by hundreds of thousands of it’s citizens outside. He prayed that all of the Senate and Congress that we had voted into power, would remember that they worked for ALL of us… not just one party and that they would remember also that the Capitol building belonged to the people not a handful of lawmakers voted into office. My friend did not participate in any of the violence that erupted and does not condone the actions of those involved. Neither do I. Violence never solves anything.
His prayer / My Prayer was not answered that day. In fact, we have witnessed an even deeper division and stronger feelings of loss, mistrust and faith in our leadership in the wake of the violence. Lines have been drawn in the sand and loyalty has been questioned by both sides. Threats have been made. Angry voices have been heard on both sides. Nothing was fixed by the peaceful demonstration. Our leaders have been deafened by the Roar of Outrage. Justice has been blinded and the scales have been tipped. Frustration has risen waist deep on both sides of the isle and Americans teeter on the edge of civil war.
Again I ask…HAVE WE LOST FAITH (in our Government) OR ARE WE LOST? (Have we LOST OUR WAY?)
On the other side…possibly the more important side of this question… HAVE WE LOST FAITH IN GOD? WHERE IS HE IN ALL THIS MESS?
There are those, myself included, that believe God is smack in the middle of it all. He never left on vacation. He has not turned His back on us as individuals or as a Nation. He has heard, seen and felt our pain.
Some question…If God is still here and sees all that is going on… why doesn’t He fix this?
Well, maybe He is fixing it. Maybe we just can’t see it. Maybe He wants US to fix it. We screwed this up. Maybe we haven’t learned yet what we need to learn to fix it. A few scriptures come to mind.
Psalm 22:28 “For kingship belongs to the Lord, and He rules over the nations.”
Psalm 33:12 “How blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he has chosen as his own inheritance.”
Romans 13:1 “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.”
No government is perfect. And all governing leaders are both human and are sinners just like you and me. We will all make mistakes. (Some more than others.) But sometimes, a ruler will command its people to sin against God. When this happens, we are to obey God rather than man. Even if it will lead to our death.
If a Government commands or places into law something that is contrary to God’s law and what Scripture says, we must side with God against Man / Earthly kings or rulers.
Remember Daniel. He stood against His King when a law was put in place to pray to the King rather than to God. Daniel disobeyed and refused, continuing to pray to God instead. He was placed in a Lions Den to be killed and God not only rescued Daniel but Daniel’s act of Faith and Loyalty to God and His Command led the King to believe.
God doesn’t promise to always rescue us. But we can be assured that God is with us and that He will use whatever situation He has placed us in for His ultimate glory and for our sanctification.
Acts 5:29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.”
As long as what a ruler commands of the people is not a violation of God’s commands, the people must submit to his authority. It all depends on how well their leadership aligns with the Word of God.
Politicians and RULERS have an obligation to the people they represent.
Colossians 3:23-24 “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.”
“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God” (Romans 13:1). God Is the Source of All Authority
Even Jesus did nothing that God did not ordain. He submitted to God’s will even unto death. Therefore, a ruler or a person in authority must follow God’s laws. There are those in Government that do not. They fight to keep God out of our schools, our government even our pledge of allegiance.
I don’t care which party anyone is affiliated with, as long as they do not ask me to believe in or ask me to do something that is against the Constitution or more importantly GOD’S LAW.
I know that a house divided will fall. I know that God comes first. “As for me and my house we will serve the LORD.”
2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
Psalm 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
Again I ask. Have we LOST FAITH IN OUR GOVERNMENT, OUR GOD or ARE WE SIMPLY LOST?
If we are lost as a country or as individuals does not Scripture tell us that OUR GOOD SHEPHERD will leave the 99 to find the one who is lost?
Matthew 8:12 “What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them gets lost, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountain and go in search of the one that is lost?“
If we repent and change our ways as Individuals and as a Nation, and if we turn to HIM…God promises to forgive us. When we believe that God is in control, follow HIS LEAD and have FAITH even if it’s as tiny as a MUSTARD SEED we will no longer be LOST.
I WAS LOST AND NOW I’M FOUND.
Think about it. Pray about it. Pray for our country. Pray for those in authority over us.
Blessings, VICTORIA
Believing Outside the Box 