Heaven Bound

“They may curse but you will bless …” Psalm 109:28

Is there anything quite as refreshing as an early morning or late afternoon rain shower? Just when it seems the day couldn’t get any hotter or the dust any thicker dark clouds gather on the horizon and the heavens burst forth with delicious, cooling, wetter than wet rain. This is what blessing does. It brings refreshment to the soul and hope for the weary; breaking up and softening even the hardest ground in order that the seed might yield its fruit.

It’s a crazy world we live in these days. Secularism, materialism, and neo paganism have hardened hearts toward the things of God unlike anything most of us have seen before. And like any hard ground it is going to take some effort if it is ever going to bear fruit. And for this reason we must guard against becoming hardened ourselves. In this day and time it is tempting to return cursing for cursing when our faith and way of life is under attack but this is exactly what we must not do.

Yes, there are political leaders we disagree with. Yes, there are policies we find unfair, outrageous and repugnant if not down right wicked. But, we must always, always, always bring to the table the spirit of  love, mercy, grace, prayer for salvation, restoration, regeneration. For such were we until God brought us to salvation.

I don’t know about you but I have seen numerous comments on social media and other places where Christians are as mean-spirited as unbelievers. This should never be so. We must always be conscious and cognizant of who it is we represent and how we are represented.

For example, we may abhor a certain political leader and his or her policies. But name calling, jokes with intentional or unintentional innuendo is never appropriate for us as believers. Or worse yet, using scripture as a way to poke someone …. you’ve seen those bumper stickers

“May his days be few, may another take his place of leadership. May his children be fatherless, his wife a widow” quoting Psalm 109:8-9.

Really? Aren’t we sly? To insinuate blessing when cursing is intended. I always cringe when I see that.

Yes, I know it’s in the Bible. But in this age of grace can we do no less than pray for God’s blessing …. particularly when it comes to salvation? We above anyone else should know that it is God who establishes Kings (and President’s) in places of authority.

Why would God place an ungodly leader over us?  If we are not “listening” we are going to miss the message. God never makes a mistake.

We therefore can  (and must) speak the truth in love, in fact, we are mandated to do so…. but, it must always be with love for there are many eyes and ears watching what we say as much as what we do.

Instead of saying so and so is a “Bozo”  (or worse)…. we can say that we disagree with them on this or that policy and here is the reason why ….  we can also say that we are praying for them that God might bring the great gift of salvation to their lives.

I think it is important …. imperative …. that we begin to live our lives with blessing and not cursing as our narrative. In post-Christian America it is going to become increasingly difficult to live out our faith without becoming anxious and angry. We see and feel our culture changing in a way that is a bit scary. And if things continue as they are I see a day coming when Christianity will not be tolerated in any form. When Bibles are tossed out, Churches closed down and people jailed for violating laws that restrict Christianity …

….. .when that day comes as it surely will ….. should the Lord decide to tarry  ….. will we like Stephen be able to say when that day comes ….

“Lord, lay not this sin to their charge” Acts 7:60

If we cannot bless now ….. how can we possibly expect to bless then?

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem they shall prosper who love thee” Psalm 122:6

Watching and waiting with YOU for the soon return of Jesus!  Cindy