Sometimes, God is very clearly trying to tell me something. These past few weeks, I read a chapter in my Bible study on worship about reverence and awe. I heard Steve Deace, my own pastor, and Glenn Beck discuss the very present evil in our country. There was an assassination attempt on a former US President and a soft coup of the sitting President transpired. Many falsehoods from political candidates and demonic positions taken by our neighbors to the north sent me into a spiral of sadness and outrage...and God "spoke" to my heart. I have never "heard" the voice of God, but I recognize when the Spirit prompts me. I wrote this poem based on all that He has communicated through various channels. I have been praying for revival and writing into the void, it would seem, trying to encourage my fellow Christ followers to engage for years. So, I will break down this poem into the Bible passages it hopefully encompasses for your edification and encouragement.
Galatians 5 (NLT) says "22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!" I believe the day may be upon us when there will be laws against these things, or at least our ability to live them out publicly. These are the fruits of the Holy Spirit and should be the evidence of our acceptance of Christ and repentance from our sin. The voting American Christian should take a look at the political candidates through this lens. Do President Trump, VP Harris, or Senator Kennedy exhibit these traits? Do they cultivate or engender these characteristics in their constituents? Whose family looks more like this? Do the policies they espouse bring about a culture that values these gifts?
Ephesians 6:12 (NLT) says "For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places." Ephesians 5: 11 says, "Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them." Again, it is important that we view politics in terms of policy and platform, not personality and popularity. Where will this person lead our nation? Toward or away from God? Toward or away from stronger families? Toward or away from freedom?
1 John 4 says, "4 Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world. 2 This is how we know if they have the Spirit of God: If a person claiming to be a prophet[a] acknowledges that Jesus Christ came in a real body, that person has the Spirit of God. 3 But if someone claims to be a prophet and does not acknowledge the truth about Jesus, that person is not from God. Such a person has the spirit of the Antichrist, which you heard is coming into the world and indeed is already here." Yes, the enemy is among us. He is in our churches and schools and government. It is, therefore, imperative that we pray about every decision we make and about those whom we elect to govern.
In the Old Testament, Proverbs 4:23 says, "23 Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. Added to Ephesians 4 where it is referenced, "14 Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. 15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church." We must absolutely guard our hearts, test the spirits, be mature in our thinking, and avoid deceivers.
We are told to carefully study the Scripture in 2 Timothy 2 (NKJV): "15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." I would argue that our fragile self-esteem might be better enhanced by following this instruction rather than accepting a participation trophy.
I hope this poem gives you something to ponder in your heart. I pray God will stir up His Holy Spirit within you. I am pleading with the Father for mercy on our country, her citizens, and our freedom to worship HIm in wisdom and in truth which may be very much at stake. May God reveal Himself to you in a new way and pour out His anointing on all those who diligently seek Him. Let us seek Him now on behalf of our country. May it be so.
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