Hebrews 12:1-2
The campaigns are over, and the race to the White House is finished. The outcome has been settled. But as believers, the race in which we find ourselves is not over. Yes, the race to see who is president, vice-president, and many other political offices around the country have been decided on November 4th, 2008. But the race that counts most, is still going on, and we as believers, the blood-bought, born again followers of Jesus Christ, are still right in the midst of it. It is not for us to focus on nations, governments, wall street, or the interest rates and the housing market. Beloved, our focus is on Jesus Christ the Son of God. He is our strength. He is our portion. He is our daily bread. As David tells us in Psalm 18, He is our Rock, our stronghold. He is the horn of our salvation. He is our deliverer. He is our fortress. He is our shield.
Now is not the time for Christians to live in fear and trembling, but to get on our knees and cry out to God for our nation. Now is the time for true Christians to humble ourselves before God and pray for strength of endurance so that we may be able to finish the race, and that we may run to win the race that is set before us. We have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power and love and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). Let us focus on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.
Now that one race is over, it doesn't mean that we do nothing. The Word of God tells us that we are to pray for those who are in leadership over us, because God has set up the governments over us. We are to pray for those who lead us so that we can live in peace. So let us remember where our focus lies, and not let our surroundings and our circumstances get us "out of focus." Satan, our enemy, would like nothing better, than for us to get our eyes off of Jesus, and onto the storm - the wind and the waves or our circumstances - around us.
I have surprised myself at how optimistic I am, in spite of my own political views and the disappointments I have suffered this week. God is still on the throne. God is in control. That gives me so much peace that I can't begin to tell you. The return of Jesus is so near that I can feel it, can't you? He is just waiting on the word from the Father, and we will be out of here, on our way to meet Him in the air. As our world seemingly is spinning and spiraling down and down, further into the abyss, look up my child, look up! Jesus is returning very, very soon! Yes, one of the two races is over, but the other one is ongoing until that day when Jesus comes, so let us not grow weary in doing good. Let us be found faithful when He returns. Let us be about the business of the kingdom. Beloved, now is not the time to draw back. Now is the time to press on with a fervor and excitement that we serve a risen King, and He is returning soon. Many things have transpired in our nation over the last several years, and our world seems to be out of control. But it is no surprise to God. He knows what He is doing, and as I said, He is the One who is really in control.
It is coming down to this: you are either in or you are out, you believe or not believe, you follow Christ or you don't. The line in the sand is becoming more defined as the days, weeks, and years go by. We live in a time of untold and unparalleled prophecy. We live in an exciting time for ministry, when our Bible is coming true right before our eyes. Pray for Israel and their leaders, I am sure they are feeling abandoned in the Middle East. And keep your eyes on the eastern sky, because beloved, "when you see these things, lift up your head, your redemption draws near." Shalom.
Rod Ewing is the Pastor of Calvary Chapel Ocala.
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