Father,
We've just had an
election, and it confirms some things about our nation. We are a divided
people, a very divided people. Our Lord Jesus commented on a people who are
divided.
Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand.
It seems, Father,
that, unless you do something quite dramatic, the future of our nation is not
good. It seems that our future holds great troubles and that will be especially
the case for those who are disciples of Jesus. We are increasingly among those
who will no longer be tolerated.
But our hope is not
in some political party, or some government official or even in our own ability
to weather the coming storm. Our hope is in You. You are our God. And You have
promised to care for us. So, we look to You, Father. We are depending on You to
guide us to wisely prepare for and then deal with what is coming our way.
At the same time,
Father, make clear to us that our situation isn't something that has surprised
You. No, all that is going on, all the division and all what goes with it -
these things are all a part of Your plan for our world, for our nation, for us.
And it is for such a time as this that we now live. So, teach us what kind of
people we need to be. Grant us the ability to do the things that You will call
us to do. Remind us that as Your servants we are to live for Your honor and for
the spread of Your kingdom. Make us ready to pay the price of following Jesus.
And impress upon our hearts the fact that the afflictions of this life will
produce an eternal weight of glory for us to enjoy later.
Father, it seems to
me that many in the Church in America are not ready for what is coming, not
really. But I do pray that there will be many who will be ready and that among
them will be the saints of Faith Reformed.
Thank You, Father,
that while the things that are seen are transient, the things that are unseen
are eternal. Grant that we will be able to set our hope on those eternal
things. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.