It is no secret that this world is coming apart at the seams. People are at each others throats, including Christians. Some Christians are absolutely consumed with politics to the point where they would literally be blindsided should the Lord show up anytime soon.
So what? So we need to tune it all out. Yep, turn off the news. Turn off what the democrats are trying to do to Trump and what Trump is trying to do to the democrats. The politics, the social, economic problems are all more or less irrelevant. Here is an example. Trump is a type of Cyrus and Cyrus was used to set Israel free from Babylon and rebuild the temple. Following so far? Here is the million dollar question: How many Jews voted for Cyrus in order for all that to happen? The grand total? ZERO. Right, first of all Jews couldn't vote for Cyrus, he was from Persia. And, the Jews had no earthly idea what was going to happen when Cyrus first set out for Babylon-they didn't even know he was coming! Same thing today.
The Lord told this writer not to vote for Trump or anyone else, stay away from this worlds politics. That's what He instructed in 2016 and that's what He instructed in 2018. And guess what? Just like the Jews had nothing to do with their deliverance from Babylon or the temple being rebuilt (the Lord did it all!), so too Trump was elected president without this Christian's vote. Well how would Trump get elected then? Umm, the Lord is creative
Luke 19:39And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. 40And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.
He wasn't kidding ^^ here. Trump would have been elected one way or another, use your imagination for all the ways an all powerful all knowing God could make that happen.
Back on track now, we need to begin to wean ourselves from the toxic poison that is most of today's "news" and commentary. Ok, why? Here is the encouraging part:
Phil 2:14Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 15That ye 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;
Obvious right? Please think deeper about what the Lord is saying. This world is rotten, got it. With Trump the divider in chief and wrecking ball on the scene people (unfortunately including many Christians) dove into the deep end of the worldly cesspool along with this world. Wrong answer.
The Lord is calling us to rid ourselves of the worldly toxicity (99% of the media) that has people the world over filled with so much contempt and hatred that they can no longer see clearly. Here is where it gets even better. By ridding ourselves of the worldly info poison and concentrating on things like this:
Phil 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Here is the net effect of this ^^: While people are disowning their friends and family due to who or what they voted for, or shouting each other down with veins popping out of their necks with beet red faces, they are going to look at us full of peace, joy and love and wonder to themselves "whoa how did that happen?" This is a dark world, if we do what the Lord tells us to do and fill ourselves up with His Word, His Spirit, pure, lovely, virtuous, praiseworthy things and things of good report we will shine like stars.
Not only is this going to make things better for us, but some of these people, likely few but chosen people will be led by the Holy Spirit across our paths and ask "how can you live above the social, cultural, political cesspool everyone else is living in?" "Where does your joy come from?" Etc. Its a win/win and the best news of all is the Lord never asked us to fix the political system in the United States or anywhere else. Leave that work to Him.
Summary
Its time to do a news fast and detox. That doesn't mean stick your head in a hole but we need to refocus on the end game now. This world is going to continue to get worse. Count on it:
2 Timothy 3:13 13while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
Meanwhile we are to become radiant like stars in this present darkness. We must burn Phil 4:8 into our minds and continue to focus on it day and night.
This brother was very encouraged to hear this repackaged "new, old news" in a way that hit home and encouraged.
Psalm 34:5 Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.
Glory to God.
grace and peace
