TWA:SW (9) Dallas’s Presidential Museum

One unexpected but totally delightful surprise during our time in Dallas was visiting the George W. Bush Library and Museum with Lorin and Marilyn.

This Dallas-based archive is the nation’s thirteenth (out of 15) presidential libraries, and after we visited it, we decided to make a priority of visiting others as we could. (We also wished we’d taken time to see Bill Clinton’s Presidential Center in Little Rock.)

Bush’s Presidential Center is awesome: informational, fun, and unique—sort of like a hands-on discovery center for adults as well as kids.

I mean, where else can you have your photo taken while sitting in the Oval Office?

Where else can you see clips of humorous foibles of our beloved leaders back through history?

The museum does a great job of helping people understand the American presidency—what it’s like both publicly and privately.

What it’s like to be a husband and dad as well as the leader of one of the world’s most influential nations. What it’s like to be the wife and daughters of an American President.

Best of all, for me—as a follower of Christ—it was thrilling to see George Bush’s commitment to God, family, and country, and I really think that’s the correct order for life’s priorities. If we don’t have our relationships right with God and our family, how can we have the wisdom and stability to lead a nation?

I hope you can read the above set of posters. It’s a clear testimony to the fact that by age 40, Bush realized he had a drinking problem, which he overcame by faith in Jesus Christ, who became his Lord and Savior.

Bush wasn’t perfect (who is?), and he made lots of mistakes (who doesn’t?). He had failures as well as successes. But, he gave the presidency everything he could and did the best he knew how to do, and I admire his character and his efforts. I read recently (in a book by Bob Fu) that character is more important than reputation, and although we’d all like to have a sterling reputation, that’s not always possible. As the ideal example, Jesus had impeccable character but was reputed to be a criminal by the religious leaders (for saying he was the Son of God) at the time of his death. If the Son of God was viciously attacked despite his moral perfection, what hope have we frail mortals for securing our reputations? Instead, God calls us to account for our character, and developing good character is our responsibility.

During our travels, Alan and I listened to many biographies and memoirs of our presidents. I’m going to recommend three that we found helpful and inspiring.

The Last Republicans traces the lives and legacies of both George H. W. Bush and his son George W. Bush. It also explores the extraordinary tie between the two men and gives enough background to understand how mentoring and modeling can prepare someone for political leadership. I wouldn’t wish the presidency on anybody I love (way too hard on family—although I’m thankful for those who take on the awesome responsibility), but I do wish good character and a determination to attempt to do the right things on myself and everyone I love!

We also listened to Bush’s own account of his life story, A Charge to Keep,

as well as Laurie Bush’s memoirs of her life and experiences as Bush’s wife and First Lady: Spoken From the Heart. It’s a tough job to be president! Seeing the “human” side of the presidency has made me a much more sympathetic citizen, more committed to praying for and appreciating the challenges of leading America.

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 1:1-4).

Pondering Proverbial Themes (5): Integrity

Having personal integrity is a choice virtue. It’s also extremely rare. In the King James Version (KJV), only three Old Testament saints were described as having integrity: Abraham (Genesis 20:6), Job (Job 2:3), and David (I Kings 9:4), and only three Proverbs discuss the value of integrity. Still, it’s something I’ve most prized in others and desired to have myself—possibly in part because my name (Kathryn) means “pure,” and I’ve always wanted to live up to my name. How about you? Is integrity important to you?

Elizabeth Tilley Howland, pilgrim

Merriam-Webster defines integrity as incorruptibility, soundness, completeness, and a firm adherence to moral values. Synonyms include character, honesty, goodness, morality, probity, uprightness, and virtue. Antonyms include badness, evil, immorality, iniquity, sin, villainy, and wickedness. When you think of integrity in these terms, it’s sort of the quality of being good through and through and choosing to do good rather than evil every time. Only the Lord Jesus was perfect in his integrity, but what a gold standard for aspiration!

What can we learn about integrity from Proverbs? I notice three things: It’s better than wealth; it serves to guide our steps; it leaves a blessing behind for our children.

Proverbs 19:1, “Better is is the poor that walks in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.” It took me a while to parse out the connection between the first and second halves of this verse, since my first reaction was to remember quips like, “Speak only if you can improve upon silence” and “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt.” We all know the embarrassment of speaking when we shouldn’t, but that’s not the heart of this message!

We also know that having integrity is better than being a perverse fool, although that’s not what this verse states either. Nor does the proverb say “Better to be poor and have integrity than to be rich and a fool,” although Jesus’s teachings on the rich fool make that point abundantly clear (See Luke 12). I think we’re left understanding the proverb this way: “It’s better to be poor and honest than someone who is crooked and foolish . . . regardless of how wealthy the crooked person is.” That last phrase isn’t written but can be inferred from the person of integrity being described as poor.

This emphasizes the great importance of integrity, because the Old Testament most often describes the life of the righteous as abundant materially as well as spiritually. For instance, “The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly” (Proverbs 14:24). However, we know from the life of Job that wise men don’t always possess riches . . . although they always possess integrity. Integrity is better than riches!

The second lesson on integrity comes in Proverbs 11:3, “The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.” Probably the most hotly contested issue in our recent presidential election concerned the personal integrity of the candidates. Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 34th president of America, said “The supreme quality for leadership is unquestionably integrity. Without it, no real success is possible.” Howard Hendricks said some years ago: “The greatest crisis in America today is a crisis of leadership. And the greatest peril of leadership is a crisis of character.” People will not follow someone they do not trust. On the other hand, people will follow someone who lacks integrity if they trust him. In whom do you put your trust? I hope it is ultimately in God, who alone is perfect in his integrity!

Finally, we learn of the lasting blessing that comes from living a life of integrity: Proverbs 20:7, “The just man walks in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.” I can attest to the truth of this from observing the life of my pastor for twenty-five years and his wife, Rick and Cheryl. They have been people of integrity, and their children (and grandchildren) truly are blessed and thriving. However, this may not mean a lot to you, since you don’t know them.

Tombstone of John Howland

I don’t personally know any famous people well enough to cite them as examples for this verse, but I do know the story of some of my ancestors, John and Elizabeth Howland, who came over on the Mayflower and are thought to have more living relatives than any of the other passengers, including three of our presidents (and many other notable people). Elizabeth, in her will, left this counsel to her children: “It is my will and charge to all my children that they walk in the fear of the Lord and in love and peace toward each other.” On John’s tombstone is written that he was “a godly man and an ancient professor in the wayes of Christ.” That sounds like integrity to me, and a long lineage of successful people affirms blessing.

Here is one last quote that reflects integrity, made by Martin Luther King, Jr.: “I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant.” We may not see what happens to our descendants after we die, but we can know by faith that they will be blessed if we live with integrity. In God’s kingdom, truth and love will ultimately prevail!

“He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints” (Revelation 13:10).

A Call to Unity

President Biden’s speech—at least to me—seemed like an appeal for unity in America. Bitter as the battle was, as citizens we do affirm the words in our pledge of allegiance that we are “one Nation under God.” If we want our nation to survive, then I think Aesop’s ancient words are still apropos: “United we stand, divided we fall.”

Do you want our country to survive, or would you prefer we self-destruct? Abraham Lincoln warned, “If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide.” I don’t want our country to die by suicide, do you? I love living in a country where I am still privileged to worship God and live by biblical principles without losing my life, which is not true in many countries around the world.

If we want our nation to survive, we are going to need to become unified again concerning our national goals, because unity starts with having the same goals and sense of purpose. My family was TOTALLY divided over whom they wanted to be our next president, but we all agreed on what we want for our country, which is a secure nation where we can pursue life, liberty, and happiness without oppressing others, either at home or abroad. Our goals are very similar; our ideas on how best to get there are not. Sound familiar?

What are your goals for America? If your goals are also similar, then what can we do as a people to put aside our differences and start working together to achieve a nation where there is harmony over purpose amidst diversity over strategies?

Some thirty-five to forty million people think the election was rigged and many boycotted the inauguration by turning off their TVs in silent protest. If you were among them, may I offer this advice: “If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle” (Sun Tzu, The Art of War).

How will you know how to pray or what you can do to influence politics if you refuse to listen to our president? Regardless of how it happened, it has become a fact. President Biden is our forty-sixth president. If we are unwilling to forgive and put aside our grievances . . . if we fail to start thinking about how to correct the problems and improve our nation, then we as individuals will self-destruct! God warns us: “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:30-32).

Many years ago, we went to a little country church that celebrated fall with a big festival. One October they sponsored a hayride with enough participants to fill two huge hay wagons, each carrying about 30 people. Within minutes, friendly hay was flying everywhere in our wagon . . . until we came within firing range of the other hay wagon. Instinctively, we all stopped fighting each other and started pelting our friends on the other wagon. Are we going to have to have a world war to make us stop squabbling with each other? Oh Lord, please not!! Help us rather to surrender our hearts to you. Help us put aside our pride and anger. Replace it with humility and love. Help us to follow the teachings of Jesus from Matthew 5 (ESV):

Retaliation

³⁸ “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ ³⁹ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. ⁴⁰ And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. ⁴¹ And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. ⁴² Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.“

Love Your Enemies

⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. ⁴⁶ For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? ⁴⁷ And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? ⁴⁸ You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.“

Biden’s Inauguration and a Prayer for our Nation

Today is a huge day for America! The festivities have already begun, and Joe Biden will be sworn is as the 46th president of our country at noon today. No matter who you are, or for whom you voted, or even if you think Joe Biden didn’t really win, if you’re an American citizen, please take the time if you can to listen to our president’s address.

Why? Because whether or not you like it, by 1:00 pm today, he will be our president for the next four years, and we have a responsibility to “Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king ” (1 Peter 2:17).

Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as they were sworn into office this morning
(Yahoo! News)

Many people were unwilling to honor Trump, and I’m sorry for that, but showing respect to everybody (not just those we approve) is not an option for Christians. It’s a command: “For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed” (Romans 13:6-8). God expects us to pay taxes, respect, and honor to whom they are “owed,” and our government officials are “owed” respect, if not for their personal attributes, then for their God-granted office.

Yes, no matter how a leader came to power, as long as he is in power, it’s by God’s permission: “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. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment” (Romans 13:1-2)

Therefore, no matter what country we’re from or who our leaders are, God wants us to pray for our leaders rather than disrespect them: “Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life” (Philippians 2:14-16).

This is much easier to do when you like and approve your leaders and much harder to do when you disagree and disapprove of them. BUT, that doesn’t change how God expects us to treat them. Thankfully, in America, we have the right and responsibility to work for positive change and reform, but through legal means, not through insurrection. And even for those who believe the election was “stolen,” remember that God wasn’t sleeping when this happened. “The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord’s throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men. The Lord trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth” (Psalm 11:4-5).

Will you join me in praying for our nation?

Dear Father,

We are yours. It is our desire to have a clear conscience and act honorably in all things from this day and moving forward. We submit to your teachings, knowing that it is our responsibility to regard our new president as “worthy of all honor” so that your name and teachings will not have cause for being doubted. We remember that it is an honor for us to avoid strife and not quarrel. Help us to repay no one evil for evil but to give thought to doing what is honorable in the sight of all. Help us to pray faithfully for those who are in authority over us, not so they’ll enact the legislation that we personally want, but for the ultimate goal of being able to live quiet and peaceable lives that are godly and honest.

Father, you know that we are frail and often struggle with anxiety over the future, although you’ve told us not to. Help us to continue day by day, bringing our concerns and fears to you, remembering that President Biden’s heart is in your hand, and you have the power to turn it however you want to. Help us to remain thankful and hopeful, remembering that you are the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, to whom all honor, and glory, and blessing, and power belong forever and ever! Best of all, help us to remain hopeful, knowing that your steadfast love will never fail. Help us to be clear, bright lamps through whom the glory of your Holy Spirit can shine out, illuminating the darkness around us. Help us to be faithful until your kingdom comes and your will is done on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.

I’ve removed the link to the Livestream now that it’s over, but you can still see a video of Biden’s inauguration and address here:

https://www.latimes.com/politics/cdi7pbgmdkg-123

(For further meditation: Hebrews 13:18; 1 Timothy 6:1; Proverbs 20:3; Romans 12:17; 1 Timothy 2:2; Philippians 4:6; Proverbs 21:1; 1 Timothy 1:17; Lamentations 3:21-22 ; Matthew 6:9-16.)

Breaking the Barriers

Like a sonic boom smashing through plate-glass ceilings, Kamala Harris is breaking all kinds of records! In light of its being Martin Luther King Day, it seems good to spotlight our new vice-president-elect, Kamala Harris. She will soon be America’s first female vice-president as well as the first African-American and first Asian-American vice president. In fact, Kamala Harris will also break a record by becoming the highest-ranking elected official in American history! That’s a lot of firsts for our upcoming Second-in-Command Lady!

Regardless of your political persuasion, if you are an American Christian, I would like you to consider praying for Kamala Harris and Joe Biden as if they were your own ??? Kamala Harris is fifty-six, and I am seventy, so she would most nearly be like a younger sister to me, and I’m going to pray for her all the things I would ask if my younger sister became the vice-president. Joe Biden is the age of my older brothers, so I’m going to be praying for Biden all the things I would ask for my oldest brother, had he been elected. You may be young enough that these two are the ages of your parents or even grandparents. Would you commit to praying for them, asking for all the things you’d ask your all-powerful, merciful Father God for if they actually were your parents or grandparents? Also, if you’re a citizen of another country, I’d like to invite you to pray for your leaders with the same sort of compassion. After all, we humans really are all related!

This is perfectly consistent with biblical teaching: “I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth . . . in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling” 1 Timothy 2:1-4;8, ESV, emphasis mine).

Our nation needs healing in so many areas! Racially for sure, but also politically and spiritually. We need repentance personally and nationally. We need reconciliation and unity. And—like charity—it all begins at home, in our hearts and in our prayer closets, as we seek our Father’s face. No more hiding like Adam and Eve in the garden, not wanting to face God because we know we’re guilty . . . and maybe don’t want to give up our sin or are too proud to admit our sins. I am so full of excuses and rationalizations when I fail . . . and even more often totally blind! How about you? Let’s break down the barriers between ourselves and God, who has the power to break down the barriers between ourselves and others—and heal our nations.

“For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us” Ephesians 2:14.

If the Foundations Be Destroyed, What Can the Righteous Do?

What if there was widespread fraud in our voting? President Trump spent over an hour yesterday outlining all the ways in which he believes our country’s election was illegally overturned by voter fraud and ended his address with, “Let’s walk down Pennsylvania Avenue.” He did not say, “Let’s storm the Capitol.” This morning, Trump reassured people: “Even though I totally disagree with the outcome of the election, and the facts bear me out, nevertheless there will be an orderly transition on January 20th.”

Governmental investigations have been unable to verify President Trump’s allegations, so Vice-President, Mike Pence, did not believe he had the right to refuse the electoral college votes (and I believe Pence made the correct choice). Therefore, Joe Biden has been affirmed again as our president-elect.

But, back to my original question: What if there was widespread fraud in our voting? Does that give anybody the right to storm our Capitol? No! Three thousand years ago, the king of Israel addressed this problem: “If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (Psalm 11:3). King David responded by turning our attention to God, sitting on his throne in heaven, unruffled and observing all the confusion and corruption going on below. The God of our universe is good. He tests the righteous and affirms righteous actions, but he hates and punishes wickedness.

This beautiful psalm ends with a reassurance: “For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.” God is testing us to see if we will do what is right or what is wrong, but we have his ear! We can (and should) appeal to Him for help: “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil” (1 Peter 3:12). If people think there’s been voter fraud, then they should work through legal channels to reform and secure our voting laws, prayerfully entrusting themselves to God’s care.

Jesus modeled this for us during his life and death: “Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed” (1 Peter 2:22-24). Jesus lived a sinless life but willingly submitted himself to God, suffering an unspeakably cruel death by crucifixion to obtain salvation for all who will accept his offer of eternal life.

Jesus could have called thousands of angels to rescue him, but he didn’t (see Matthew 26:53). Likewise, Jesus wants his followers today to entrust themselves to the care of God and do only “righteous” deeds! We are never allowed to take matters into our own hands. “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord” (Romans 12:19). May we all let God be God in our lives and in our world!

Psalm 11

“In the Lord I take refuge;
how can you say to my soul,
    “Flee like a bird to your mountain,
² for behold, the wicked bend the bow;
    they have fitted their arrow to the string
    to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart;
³ if the foundations are destroyed,
    what can the righteous do?”^[a]

⁴ The Lord is in his holy temple;
    the Lord’s throne is in heaven;
    his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man.
⁵ The Lord tests the righteous,
    but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence.
⁶ Let him rain coals on the wicked;
    fire and sulfur and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.
⁷ For the Lord is righteous;
he loves righteous deeds;
    the upright shall behold his face.” (English Standard Version)

Created Equal: Clarence Thomas Speaks to Us

If you’ve ever wanted to understand the heart of a godly African-American statesman, please watch this 2020 documentary about our longest-serving Supreme Court Justice, Clarence Thomas.

Created Equal: Clarence Thomas in His Own Words is a calm, clear, recounting of what it was like to grow up as a black child in in rural south during the 1950’s.

With no father and a mother who couldn’t support her two young boys.

Clarence Thomas’s grandfather, Myers Anderson
“Old man can’t is dead. I helped bury him.”

With super strict, austere grandparents who demanded godly character and tireless hard work for their two young grandsons (although they were good providers).

Can you imagine what it would be like to be a young black man in a white, Catholic school?

What it was like to attend Catholic seminary as the only African American and experience the disregard of the other students for the tragedy of Martin Luther King Jr’s death?

To feel such intense pressure to prove your value that you considered a 98% on a test as “blowing it?”

What it would feel like to graduate from Yale law school and struggle to find a job—not because you lacked brilliance, but simply because you’re black?

To be nominated for the Supreme Court, but then undergo one of the most controversial, grueling, degrading hearings . . . because you were both black and an independent, conservative thinker?

Throughout the documentary, Clarence doesn’t often disclose how he felt; he just tells you what happened and let’s the obvious sink in.

One of the highlights for me was hearing him explain that he finally made a deal with God: “If you’ll heal me from hating, I’ll never hate again.” I believe he’s kept that promise.

From watching his resolve and responses at the confirmation hearings, it seemed obvious to me that Clarence Thomas was (and still is) a man endued by the Holy Spirit to live a godly life— as Paul taught, “That you may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:15).

Clarence Thomas has become one of my heroes . . . I believe he is one of God’s children of whom it can be said that he “by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life” (Romans 2:7). What a wise, God-fearing, God-honoring man!

But, it’s impossible to listen to his story without being struck by the racial inequality that exists in our country TODAY. Lord, deliver us from evil!

God bless and keep you, Clarence Thomas! You are a credit to the human race and your African- American race . . . and an inspirational example to all of us!

“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able
to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Ephesians 6:13).

Wise Words Concerning our Election

My nephew posted such wise words on his FaceBook page this morning that I asked if I could share them with you. I think he’s right on!

“In a few hours (who are we kidding – could be a few weeks) approximately half of the country is going to believe that they have narrowly escaped certain doom, and the other half will believe that the end of the world is upon us. They’ll each also continue to believe that the other half is very wrong and very dangerous.

“And it doesn’t even depend on which candidate wins…Think about it.

“If you are reading this, no matter who you are, that means in some sense you are my neighbor (digital or otherwise). I’m glad you are my neighbor. I’m glad we get to share a tiny little bit of life together. And even if the world is really about to end, I’d still like to sit down over a cup of tea next to a campfire in the cool fall air and just listen to your thoughts and hurts and hopes and fears” (—Gene Parunak).

“Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 12:36-40).

I hope and pray that after this election is over, we, the people, reach out in peace and go forward together in love. May America be “one nation under God” no matter who becomes our next President!

Prayer for our Nation Based on Daniel’s Prayer for His Nation 2500 Years Ago

Dear Heavenly Father,

You have invited us to come “boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” I am here, asking you for mercy and grace—for myself, and for my nation, America. Lord, please bring us to repentance and heal our land. Please provide leadership that will seek your will and ways going forward. I am reminded of the confession of Daniel as he saw the desolations happening to Israel twenty-five hundred years ago, and I feel like America is similarly standing on the brink of judgment and disaster. I am taking Daniel’s prayer as my own for our nation. Please rescue us!

O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules. We have not listened to your servants, who spoke in your name to our president, our leaders, our fathers, and to all the people of America. To you, O Lord, belongs righteousness, but  to us, O Lord, belongs open shame—to our president, to our leaders, and to ourselves—because we have sinned against you.  To the Lord our God belongs mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against you and have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God by walking in your laws, which you set before us in your Word.

As a nation we have transgressed your law and turned aside, refusing to obey your voice. And the curse and oath that are written in the Law of Moses the servant of God have been poured out upon us, because we have sinned against You. You have confirmed the words of scripture, which Moses spoke against us and against our rulers who ruled us, by bringing upon us a great calamity (COVID-19 this time). As it is written in the Law of Moses, all this calamity has come upon us; yet we have not entreated the favor of the Lord our God, turning from our iniquities and gaining insight by your truth. Therefore you have kept ready the calamity and have brought it upon us, for the Lord our God is righteous in all the works that he has done, and we have not obeyed his voice. And now, O Lord our God, who brought your people out of oppression and slavery from many nations around the world with a mighty hand, and have made a name for yourself, as at this day, we have sinned, we have done wickedly.

 O Lord, according to all your righteous acts, let your anger and your wrath turn away from your country, America— “one nation under You, our God,” because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, America and your people have become a byword among all who are around us. Now therefore, O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to her pleas for mercy, and for your own sake, O Lord, make your face to shine upon your Church and this country, which is on the brink of destruction. O my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations, and the country that is called by your name. For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy.  O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act. Delay not, for your own sake, O my God, because America and your Church within America are called by your name.

“Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth:
for I am God, and there is none else” (Isaiah 45:22).

“Remember this and stand firm, recall it to mind, you transgressors, remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’” (Isaiah 46:8-10).

New Wine

Did you listen to the vice-presidential debate last night? I did, and I was very impressed by it. I hope you listen to what each candidate is saying and vote for the one whose views are most in line with what you believe would be best for our country. The last presidential debate will be Thursday, October 22 at 9:00 pm ET. If you’re an American citizen with the right to vote, please watch this debate, pray with an open heart, and take the time to cast your ballot. It is a great honor and privilege to be able to be a part of the election process, and America needs ALL of her people to speak up for what they believe is right and good.

I try to stay away from politics on my blog, not because I lack interest, but because I don’t want differences based on politics to distract from considerations of the Kingdom of God—which is a spiritual kingdom within the hearts of men during this age but will someday become The kingdom on earth. “A kingdom of love and light,” where Christ shall reign over the earth, providing peace, mercy, and justice for all: “But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream” (Amos 5:24).

But, until Christ comes back to earth, it is the responsibility of Christ-followers to live out his Gospel with our lives shining like bright lights in the darkness. We need to be at peace and not despairing! I have never seen a more electrified election looming ahead, with both Democrats and Republicans fearing voting fraud and anxious that the world will end if the wrong man (i.e. the candidate from the opposing party) becomes president. I have high hopes that my candidate will win, but let’s all remember that God reigns over the affairs of earth: “God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne” (Psalm 47:8). Our hope and security should rest in God alone, not in any man or organization.

Are you a Christian? Are you a faithful Jew? If so, remember these words: “’You are my witnesses,’ declares the Lord, ‘and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me. I, I am the Lord, and besides me there is no savior‘” (Isaiah 43:10-11). The chosen servant was/is Jesus Christ. He is the Lord, and besides him, there is no savior! Our “job” is to repent of our sins and “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else” (Isaiah 45:22).

During these next critical weeks in the life of our country, will you join with me in praying for God to have mercy on our country and provide able leadership who will stand for God’s Word and listen to His voice? Only God can save our country, not only from COVID-19 but from moral and financial bankruptcy.

I was feeling frustrated this morning with the press and politics generally. Alan and I “just happened” to be reading in Isaiah, and chapter 24 struck a chord in me. The whole chapter fits perfectly with the plight of our world (and America) today: “The land shall be utterly emptied, and utterly spoiled: for the Lord hath spoken this word. The earth mourneth and fadeth away, the world languisheth and fadeth away, the haughty people of the earth do languish. The new wine mourneth, the vine languisheth, all the merryhearted do sigh” (Isaiah 24:7, KJV). I am like the new wine that is mourning over the plight of our country and our world.

However, the chapter ends in hope. The haughty and evil will be punished, but the Lord will reign in a glory so brilliant that even the sun and moon are put to shame! So, take heart! Let the Lord make new wine out of us to mourn the losses but see past the darkness of this earth to the beauty and glory of God’s Kingdom!

“Let them be put to shame and dismayed forever; let them perish in disgrace, that they may know that you alone, whose name is the Lord, are the Most High over all the earth” (Psalm 83:17-18, ESV).