112918: A Distinct People

Come, behold the works of the LORD,
Who has wrought desolations in the earth.
He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth;
He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;
He burns the chariots with fire.
"Cease [striving] and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
The LORD of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.
Psalm 46:8-11 (NASB)

​Hymn: "Thank You, Lord" Seth Sykes, Bessie Sykes

I grow concerned, more so in recent years, that too much of what we do as Christians in the west is based on fear. Fear of tyranny, or invasion, or corrupt power structures, or really anything else. We must vote a certain way to protect our way of life and our freedom. We must stand in opposition before this politician comes for those we care about. Now, there is a certain wisdom to understanding what is happening in the world and using what power we have to push against the worst of it. I do not advocate for Christians to be removed from the real problems around us or to be complacent in the face of evil. I do, however, urge us all to do so from an understanding that the forces we oppose are not ultimately in charge of what happens.

It's easy to say that we do understand that. But do we really make our decisions about dangers with the understanding that no amount of violence from our enemy can actually harm us unless God allows it? Do we approach our economic state with the fundamental understanding that God will see us through for as long as He has us on this Earth, and no amount of stored money and goods and guns will keep us here even a second longer than that? Do we approach the world's systems with the understanding that God will judge them in His wisdom and strength?

After these things I heard something like a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, "Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God; BECAUSE HIS JUDGMENTS ARE TRUE AND RIGHTEOUS; for He has judged the great harlot who was corrupting the earth with her immorality, and HE HAS AVENGED THE BLOOD OF HIS BOND-SERVANTS ON HER." And a second time they said, "Hallelujah! HER SMOKE RISES UP FOREVER AND EVER."
Revelation 19:1-3 (NASB)

Are we a people distinct and set apart, a people who live as though the ultimate power over all of life is God? Do we align ourselves with power structures to protect ourselves and our interests rather than letting God be our primary, and only, allegiance? Do we seek to protect and dig deep into systems that Christ will judge and destroy on His return? God will cast down all of the systems of this world that do not serve His glory. All of the nations will pass away, no modern economy will survive into the Kingdom, no protest movement will be necessary when the perfect comes. Let us hold these things loosely, let us not put our hope in them as the world does, let us never lose sight of the fact that God is in control and He will not share His glory with any body that demands our allegiance in this life.