So Now What?

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Most of the people here in Pampa are not in a very good mood in these post-election days. Debates, legal challenges, acid stomachs, discouraging television election results, etc. Yes, most adults in Pampa and in Gray County voted for President Trump and are very unhappy with what the outcome may be, especially many details of how that outcome may occur. You may be one of them. If you are and if you are also a faithful disciple of Jesus, I have a few observations.

First, think back to the days of Noah. Gen. 6:5-8 The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. 7 So the Lord said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them.” 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.

In the whole human population there was only one family found who was not totally wicked. You may be convinced that the next four years hold little good and a whole lot of bad, but surely you don’t think that there is only one decent, God-fearing family in all of Pampa and Gray County. What’s my point? Noah and his family were blessed, even when they were the only righteous family in a totally wicked world. If they were blessed by the LORD, you will be too.

Second, when Elijah got depressed because he found himself No. 1 on Jezebel’s Top 10 Most Wanted list, he thought he was the only faithful follower left. God reminded him, “Yet I reserve 7,000 in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.” 1 Kgs. 19:18 God blessed Elijah and continued to use him for His glory. If God could bless and use Elijah when he was depressed and saw no light at the end of the tunnel, then Father can do the same for you.

Third, if Joe Biden actually becomes our new President, you may be feeling that he surely falls far short of your expectations and that he cannot lead us into good times, but only into bad ones. But consider this: Jesus was born, grew up, lived His life and fulfilled His purpose on earth when the entire world was ruled by Augustus Caesar and Tiberius. Augustus’ sexual appetites were significant and encompassed many young girls, men, women and wives of political leaders. Tiberius was even worse than Augustus. He had the whole palace painted with pornographic drawings, sought an endless supply of young boys, regularly assaulted any upper class woman he so chose and engaged in sadistic acts with children. You may not be a fan of Joe Biden, but surely you aren’t so blind as to put him in the same league as Augustus and Tiberius. Therefore, if Jesus could live His life and fulfill His purpose on earth with Augustus and Tiberius ruling the day, then certainly you can easily do the same with if Joe Biden is the resident of the White House for the next 4 years.

Fourth, you may be having doubts and fears about the future of Christians and churches in America. But consider this: the early church was born, experienced explosive growth in numbers and spread throughout the known world, when it was ruled by Caligula, Claudius and Nero; three immoral reprobates, often hosting wild public orgies. With Caligula rape and incest were common, also homosexuality and adultery. Claudius followed Caligula’s path. Nero practiced the same sins and added persecution of the early church to the mix.

Conclusion: If Noah, Elijah, Jesus and the early church can not only survive, but thrive during the sickest of wicked times and rulers, surely Christians and churches can thrive during the next 4 years. Don’t you think? God bless.

Oh, and one more thing: if Paul could pray for Nero (who eventually killed him), then Christians can certainly pray regularly for Joe Biden if he becomes our President.