Around here, most everyone you meet has a woeful story to share. Our unemployment rate is way up, and we have the great distinction of living in the city that is number 1 in the nation for foreclosures. {Zerbert!}
In light of owning a title company in the midst of this housing crisis, Joe and I have been faced with some major decision-making recently (with more on the table). So, it was a timely comfort to me to receive the following email from Turning Point (Dr. David Jeremiah) yesterday.
Our Part
"And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding." ~Daniel 2:21
Dr. Jeremiah said: "Very soon, Americans will go to the polls and vote for the next president and vice-president of the United States. Hundreds more officials in states and communities will also be elected. But in light of verses like Daniel 2:21—"[God] removes kings and raises up kings"—does it really matter if we vote or not? Doesn't He ultimately choose?
Yes—God ultimately chooses everything. And Yes—it matters that we vote. Everything that happens in God's sovereign economy has two parts: His part and our part. Whether it's salvation or a good marriage or a successful career, both God's grace and our activity is required.
Yes—God ultimately chooses everything. And Yes—it matters that we vote. Everything that happens in God's sovereign economy has two parts: His part and our part. Whether it's salvation or a good marriage or a successful career, both God's grace and our activity is required.
From a practical perspective, the Bible is filled with exhortations that depend on our responsibility. The same verse that says God removes and raises up kings says that He gives "wisdom . . . and knowledge." And Proverbs 2:1-8 says that acquiring wisdom is like searching for buried treasure. There is work to be done in order to find it."
The sovereignty of God never excuses us from responsibility. ~Will Metzger
I think it's important to "be still before the Lord" and not charge forth like a frenzied bull. But I think we have to be careful not to be still to the point that we're paralyzed, with our head in the sand (my temptation!) and waiting for answers and/or opportunity to merely drop in our laps.
So, we're pressing on, earnestly desiring wisdom and knowledge! It can be such a delicate process, don't you think?!
...what's it like in your neck of the woods?
Oh my goodness, your photo with this post was beautiful.
ReplyDeleteIn reply to your question though, I think people in this area are very worried...mainly about their money, their jobs and the economy in general. And, I have heard some of my very good Christian friends say that they are going to change their vote based on who they think might help them make more money (they are small business owners) rather on who matches their stance on moral issues. This concerns me very much as the moral issues rate much higher for me than anything else.
I think it's a time for us vote for what we know is morally correct, a time for us to remember to put our trust in Him and a time to remember to pray for others. That's about all we can do!
Angie in OH
Thanks. The photo was taken at one of our parks here in Cape Coral.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on the voting strategy. Show me the character of the man before he was a presidential candidate, not what he's promising while on the campaign trail.