REJOICE IN THE FACT WE SERVE A SOVEREIGN GOD!  #267

Good Morning, Meetpastordan Readers…For the past ten days Pam and I had the privilege of vacationing in Hawaii.  We flew into Oahu first, staying for four nights on Waikiki Beach – right in front of Diamond Head – and we visited Pearl Harbor, taking in that important piece of history.  Then we flew to Maui and stayed right on the ocean in Mahalia, where we beachcombed, ate and ate and read. Needless to say, it was beautiful, breathtaking and relaxing…the perfect rejuvenator!  But here was the key. While we were there, we promised ourselves ahead of time we would tune out the rest of the world (NO news), and I can’t tell you how refreshing that was. And I also have to admit, that led to a revelation for me. “Why do I spend so much time worrying about the news when the truth is, I serve a Sovereign God who is large and in charge!  He is still on the throne, and He still has us covered.” That became clear to me when this Scripture passed through my mind.  “In all things, God works for the good of those who love Him and are called to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

It’s amazing how easily our focus gets tainted by worldly activities or worldly happenings. Even when we know better, satan is still the master deceiver, the master manipulator, and before we know it, we’re sucked into his web of deception. After all, this is his playground, and his sole purpose…to keep our focus off of God, and to keep our focus on the world around us. And truth be told, none of us – no matter who we are – are immune to his shenanigans.  But to those of us In Christ, we have “authority over all the evil schemes of the devil”. (Luke 10:19) We just have to know that, remember that, and apply that!

So what does the word ‘Sovereign’ mean? It is defined as having supreme authority, control and power over all that has happened, is happening or will happen in the future. Therefore, since God Jehovah is a Sovereign God, He has the right, authority and the power to govern all that has happened, is happening, and will happen according to His divine will throughout all eternity. These few verses substantiate that truth: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was empty, formless and clothed in darkness, but the Spirit of God was hovering over the darkness. And God said, ‘Let there be light!’ And there was light.” (Genesis 1-2); “Lord, through all generations You have been our dwelling place. Before the mountains were created, before You made the earth and the world, You were (are) God without beginning or end.” (Psalm 90:1-2); “How great is our Lord. His power is absolute! His understanding is beyond comprehension!” (Psalm 147:5); “Jesus looked at them and said, ‘Humanly speaking it is impossible. But with God, everything is possible!” (Matthew 19:26); “Christ is the one through whom God created everything in heaven and on earth.  He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see – kings, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities.  Everything has been created through Him and for Him. He existed before everything else began, and He holds all creation together.” (Colossians 1:16-17); “The Lord does whatever pleases Him throughout all heaven and earth, and on the seas and in their depths.” (Psalm 135:6) “And God said to Moses, ‘I AM THAT I AM” Exodus 3:14) In other words, God IS EVERYTHING!

Knowing these truths provides a Scriptural foundation on which we can all stand when the world starts closing in on us and we feel our joy being sucked right out. Listening to the news and the preponderance of negativity CERTAINLY ZAPS OUR HOPE AND OUR JOY, so let’s look at Romans 8:28 again. “In ALL things, God works for the good for those who love Him and are called to His good purpose”. Does it say in some things, or many things, or does it say in “ALL” things? Does it say only in good times, or does it mean in ALL times?

Jonathan Cahn, author of the Harbinger, reminds us of God’s hand in the founding of our great nation. “But what does America have to do with ancient Israel? Israel was unique among nations in that it was conceived and dedicated at its foundation for the purposes of God. Those who laid America’s foundations saw it as a new Israel, an Israel of the New World. And as with ancient Israel, they saw it as in covenant with God, meaning its rise or fall would be dependent on its relationship with God. If America followed His ways, it would become the most blessed, prosperous, and powerful nation on earth. From the very beginning they foretold it, and what they foretold did come true. America rose to heights no other nation had ever known. Not that it was ever without fault or sin, but it would aspire to fulfill its callings. ‘What calling?’ you ask. To be a vessel of redemption, an instrument of God’s purposes, a light to the world. It would give refuge to the world’s poor and needy, and hope to its oppressed. It would stand against tyranny. It would fight, more than once, against the dark movements of the modern world that threatened to engulf the earth.”

As Cahn so poetically portrays, God’s hand and blessings have certainly been on America.  But to whom much is given, much is expected.  America has certainly risen to greatness and prosperity, but with those blessings often comes an unwarranted sense of complacency. Whenever that happens within a culture, it certainly provides an opportunity for evil to rear its ugly head. And just as in previous cultures, that evil opportunity is cloaked in greed and the desire for power, wealth and control. I have written about this on numerous occassions and have referred to it as the Liberal Progressive Agenda, but that philosophy today defines the Democrat Socialist party. Their objective is to dismantle our current country and reshape it in a socialistic fashion where the government becomes our god and our provider.

If you doubt that, just compare these two platforms listing only eight areas of concern.  Democrat Socialist platform: big government, less personal freedom; open borders, anyone, good or evil, can come in; sanctuary cities, defiance of law and order; government health care, look at the current debacle (need I say more?); higher taxes, stymie economic growth; support abortion on demand; silence those with opposing views; a full assault on Christianity.     Conservative Republican platform:  Limited Government, more personal freedom; secure borders, build fence, only legal immigration permitted; respect for law and order, enforce existing laws; people responsible for their own health care (exceptions in case of poverty); cut taxes, incentive for economic growth; offer alternatives to abortion; maintain freedom of speech; maintain freedom of religion.

So why should we not worry about the state of our country? Because God Himself gave us freedom of choice, liberty to come and go at will, and laws to be followed. He stands for these things, and no man or government has the right to take them away.  The Scripture says, “In all things, He works for the good of those who love Him and are called to His purpose.”  In other words, “No weapon formed against us will prosper.” (Isaiah 54:17), and “If God is for us, who can be against us”. (Romans 8:17)

So what is your role in all of this?  To trust Him to do what He says He will do. And equally important…get yourself informed, then go out and vote to keep YOUR country.  God has called you to be a doer, not to sit on the side-lines and complain because things aren’t going the way you would like for them to go. So, get up; get out to vote! Stand up for what is rightfully yours.  Freedom!

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May God bless you abundantly,

Dan Presgrave (a.k.a. Pastor Dan)