“10 After seven days, the waters of the flood came and covered the earth. 11 When Noah was 600 years old, on the seventeenth day of the second month, all the underground waters erupted from the earth, and the rain fell in mighty torrents from the sky. 12 The rain continued to fall for forty days and forty nights.” Genesis 7:10-12 (NLT)
This is the day after the mid term elections here in the states. Reading my facebook page today I saw many posts talking about fear and disappointment, some angry, some questioning. Interesting news feed today.
In the days leading up to the flood, Noah and his family built an ark. People ridiculed him and his family. They were called names, they were laughed at. Insults were hurled and I imagine that objects also were hurled. Noah stood his ground. He completed his task. He shared what the Lord had told him. He invited his neighbors to join them. He warned them of impending doom. No one listened. They heard what he said. They witnessed what they were building. They saw the animals walk through their towns and villages toward the ark. Yet they did not listen or believe.
Yesterday as Dale and I headed to the polls we prayed. We prayed for the day, the country, the machines. We prayed for the counting. We ended the prayer asking that the Lord’s will be done.
Politically, I am one of those people who are referred to as many things. None of them positive. I have heard many names thrown my way in my life. My height in elementary school was a cause for name calling, Stilts, Legs,Wilt the Stilt, Jolly Green Giant. You get the idea. In elementary school you don’t realize that someday gravity takes over and you then become the incredible shrinking woman.
Personally, in the past couple of years I have had my beliefs questioned and told that how I believe is wrong and that basically I am headed straight to hell.
All of this is nothing. I know what I believe, I know why I do believe in things, in the Lord and in my country. I stand by what I believe. I know that in this day and age, thinking against the flow puts a giant bullseye on you. I wear my bullseye proudly.
For, you see, that little verse that we sing-sang as children comes into play. “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but, names will never hurt me.” I gladly hear the names and know that one name will never go away, the name of Christian.
The Bible has talked about this time in the world. What I see happening, watch on the news, hear in conversations, this was all foretold.
Elections come and go. As is human nature, lies are told, falsehoods are given higher standards, cheating and stealing happens. We will all have to answer for any of this. For we are all guilty, not just during elections, but in daily life.
“You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. 2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. 4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. 5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!” 2 Timothy 3:1-5 (NLT)
People can come against you for using the wrong version of the Bible, they can condemn what you watch, they can be full of judgement. It is a sign of the times. We have been told.
“7 Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world.” Matthew 24:7 (NLT)
Does any of this sound familiar? It does to me. But, like Esther, we were born at this time to live in this time, to face what is happening ~ for such a time as this.
I have hope. Not in the electorate, not in the government, not in humanity. My trust is in my Lord.
Things can change in a world. Elections tend to awaken people to the change happening, and then once aroused from slumber they notice and soon the slumber comes back.
My trust is in God. None of the events of yesterday and of the next few days of haggling and discussing and fighting and recounting has made God wring His perfect hands on His throne. He is constant and true.
“And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20b (NLT)
The Refreshing of a Wild Rose 