May the mumbling commence!
What a marvelous early December morning! We only lack moisture. I’ve been praying for rain for some days now. This morning, I will exalt the strength and power of the Lord, as the psalmist does in Psalm twenty-one:
Be exalted, O Lord, in Your own strength!
We will sing and praise Your power. (Verse 13)
And, why is our Lord worthy of song and praise? Why doesn’t God answer our prayers for rain? Why doesn’t God guide our leaders into godly decisions? Well, we have some part to play in this relationship. Read from earlier in Psalm twenty-one:
He asked life from You, and You gave it to him –
Length of days forever and ever.
His glory is great in Your salvation;
Honor and majesty You have placed upon him.
For You have made him most blessed forever;
You have made him exceedingly glad
with Your presence. (Verses 4-6)
Our leaders need to ask for life, and they need to ask with the right motives. We need to ask for life-giving water, and we need to ask with the right motives. We need to ask in the Way of Jesus – in Jesus’ name. We must think of other people – particularly the vulnerable in our midst.
When we ask with these motives and attitudes, God will answer us – not always in the way we might wish, but our Lord will answer us. God is glorified in our salvation. In the honors that we receive, God is glorified. When we are seen as majestic in our ways, God is glorified.
Don’t receive the compliments for yourself; don’t think too much of the flattery that comes from peoples’ lips. Give glory to God. Remain patient with yourself and others – especially those who seem either far ahead of you or those who seem to be lagging way behind. It is the way of the wisdom of the Lord. Read from Proverbs chapter one:
Wisdom calls aloud outside;
She raises her voice in the open squares.
She cries out in the chief concourses,
At the openings of the gates in the city
She speaks her words:
"How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity?
For scorners delight in their scorning,
And fools hate knowledge.
Turn at my rebuke;
Surely I will pour out my spirit on you;
I will make my words known to you.” (Verses 20-23)
Wisdom has the utmost patience. She calls out and does not give up. She speaks to the simple people – the ones that our society to often tries to hide away in group homes. Wisdom calls them forth to learn.
Her words address the scornful masses – those who decry the decay of our times and despise the direction that our leaders are taking. These people decry and give no alternative. These people Wisdom calls forth.
She speaks to those who would wish to deny the very existence of God – the existence of knowledge. At times, we allow people like these to run our public conscience. Wisdom calls these people forth to learn as well.
Let us exhibit such patience!
Enough mumbling for now…
Peace Out
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