It was a jarring look. Images of protestors breaching the security of the U.S. Capitol Building and roaming its halls. It was jarring no matter your political persuasion. Times like this take you to the bedrock of your values and the source from which they derive. I found myself very sad. In my sadness, looking for a mooring to hitch to, my heart and mind turned to Psalm 121.
I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Boom. A needed, and very necessary reminder.
So what does this help from “the Lord” look like in times like these? Where is the solid footing? Here are four Scripture anchors that have been brought to my mind.
- Prayer
Prayer is always the best place to start. And of course, Scripture gives us a very specific start point for times like these: pray for those in authority over us, including government leaders. Or maybe, especially government leaders. This prayer, along with a peaceful and godly lifestyle, pleases God. (1 Timothy 2:1-3)
- Respect
It can’t be said any better than in 1 Peter 2:17 – Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor. Respect is a lost commodity in today’s political discourse. Showing respect to those who think differently may be the lowest hanging fruit to pick in working our way back to any kind of edifying discourse. Our country is waiting on someone to take the lead here and show others how it’s done.
- Humility
We can’t help but be reminded of the great exhortation in 2 Chronicles 7:14 – if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. But we can’t pray this prayer as a Scripture dart aimed at someone else. It must start with [insert your first name here].
- Gospel Forward
In Titus 3, along with being subject to rulers and authorities, believers are told to be ready to do whatever is good, to be peaceable and considerate, always to be gentle toward everyone. In Titus 2 believers are told that their behavior can make the teachings of God attractive. This then means our behavior can also make the teachings of God unattractive. Think about that for a minute.
Prayers,
Barry Shafer
Founder/Director, InWord Resources
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