We live in a nation, a world, a culture that is governed by sensationalism not substance.
It purports that what is shared is substance; but in truth it is mostly folly.
Strong words, but verifiable when rationally observed.
The Lord has shown me that I cannot teach or share what I do not personally possess.
This has become glaringly apparent in the composition of this post.
Allow me to explain.
When I read headlines, react accordingly to its hype, its hysteria, and do not let the dust settle, and ‘jump’ to a conclusion, I can easily be caught up in what is said to be true and factual, but in essence is not.
How do I know that this is true?
Many times, I have reacted to an immediate headline, interpreted its words, not taking the time to read the accompanying story, and not waiting a day or two, to let the verbal ‘strife’around the story’s content settle.
If I had just waited, and held steady; I would have understood more clearly what may or what may not have truly happened.
I have assumed; and my assumptions have been wrong.
This has been my growing experience over the past decade.
Why?
Because, growing up, I have been an impatient reader.
I have been undisciplined and read hurriedly to get the ‘gist’, but not the substance; and therefore, assuming that I ‘know’, I have had to learn to read slower, stop, and process the essence of the words that I am reading.
This not only applies to headline news but is especially true when reading the Word of God.
I have had to learn to consciously slow down.
Thank you for hearing me out.
Moving on!
The unfortunate reality is that sensational headlines have progressed in their calculated innuendos suggesting an atmosphere of despair, perceived future, discouragement, and/or foreseeable worry.
Many times, there is an obvious element of truth in a headline, but its reality is exaggerated to get the reader’s attention; and then reading the article, having patiently waded through its words, you come to end of the story, only to find out that the reality of the moment is less than the substance of the headline.
Question: What if people only read headlines? only read the first few paragraphs? or did not read the whole article?
Is it possible to be misinformed?
Absolutely.
Is it possible that what the reader thinks is the truth, is in fact, not the complete truth, or an exaggerated truth?
Yes, that can be true.
How do I know?
It has been my personal experience.
We live in a world, governed by words that use such phrases as ‘what if’, ‘may be’, ‘could be’, ‘might be’, or even ‘let me tell you what this really means’.
I believe that we, as a nation, are a nation of P.O.W.s.
What does that mean?
We have become ‘Prisoners Of Words’.
I have observed how this nation has been systematically ‘manipulated’, ‘incarcerated’, and ‘governed’ mentally by those seeking to establish a specific agenda.
The power of this type of verbal reasoning can create an atmosphere of instability in our thinking; a questioning of our intelligence; an undermining of our culture; and an uncertainty for our future as a nation.
Many other nations of the world have their own histories that include what historians call ‘propaganda’ that has restructured their political future.
Has this nation been subjected to a political ‘rhetoric’ that wants to restructure our political future?
I submit that it has; and that this nation has experienced that profoundly in the past decade.
However, the effect of the onslaught of the ‘use of negative wording’ is now being revealed, is more clearly recognized, is being uncovered, disclosed, questioned and challenged.
What has brought about a shift from darkness to light?
God is exposing ‘untruths’.
God is bringing to light what we have been told was ‘truth’, when in reality that which was shrouded in darkness is now being revealed as a manipulation of the ‘truth’ that was being used to persuade us to believe a lie.
Again, strong words, but God is doing this in our nation.
God is not a god of political manipulation.
What we are witnessing is the intervention of the Sovereignty of God, the uncovering of the lies and deceptions that have been ‘spewed out’ upon this nation.
Luke 12:2,3, Amplified Version, speaks of this work of God, His Father.
Jesus said to His followers, “But there is nothing [so carefully] concealed that it will not be revealed, nor hidden that it will not be made known. [Matthew 10:26-33, Mark 4:22] For that reason, whatever you have said in the dark will be revealed in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed on the housetops.”
{If you are interested, please see the post, The A.A.R.O.W. OF GOD, posted 2024/06/26}
Consider this testimony of Joseph, who was ‘incarcerated’ for many years because of ‘words’ that he had shared with his family.
God had given Joseph dreams and he shared those dreams with his family.
The origin of his dreams was God.
The ‘words’ of his dream were ‘truth’.
But his ‘words’ perpetrated actions against him because his brothers resented what he had shared with the family.
If you are familiar with the complete story of Joseph, then you know that after their father, Jacob died, an incident occurred between Joseph’s brothers and Joseph. It seems that his brothers were afraid of retribution from Joseph, so they had a message ‘told’ to Joseph that their father wanted Joseph to forgive his brothers. Whether this is true or not it is not known for sure; but Joseph showed maturity and integrity. (See Genesis 50:7-21)
“But Joseph said to them (his brothers), Do not be afraid, for I (Joseph) am in the place of God? [Vengeance is His, not mine.] As for you (his brothers), you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present outcome (the fulfillment of what God had showed him) that many people would be kept alive [as they are this day]. ” Genesis 50:19,20 Amplified Version, (inserts in ( ) are mine)
Why am I sharing this incident from the life of Joseph?
To show the overriding principle of the Sovereignty and Providence of God in a person’s life and/or even a nation’s ‘life’.
There are forces of opposition that desire to malign and disrupt what God has purposed; but our God uses those times of opposition for our good. (Romans 8:28)
Who is the opposition? (See John 10)
In the ‘wording’ of the headlines, the ‘rhetoric’ used is to awaken doubts; to present possible peril; to question authority; to advocate deceptions; to speak half-truths; to make false accusations; to bring someone into ‘harms’* way; and to prepare the way to present untruths. (* i.e. Joseph)
Why?
So that a ‘false idea’ against an individual person; against a governing policy; or against a specific political party’s position may be ‘planted’ in the soil of the mindset of this nation.
This ‘false idea’ then becomes the central topic that is in opposition to the ‘opinion’ or ‘belief’ that is going to be articulated in next syndicated column; the major ‘go to’ topic on the evening news; or the ‘spin cycle topic ‘ on the political talk shows.
This is not new journalism.
Deception and false accusations in journalism are historically factual.
{If you Google the topic of journalism, you will find a plethora of information regarding historical journalism.}
In the past ten years this nation has experienced an implosion of false journalism.
This has been a natural result of our ability to disseminate information more easily and repetitively through technology.
As a nation we have been exposed to ‘verbal supposition’ and ‘false accusations’ relentlessly for the past decade.
This didn’t begin ten years ago; but it has certainly accelerated in the past decade.
Therefore,
I ask you, what type of reaction do you personally experience when you focus on the sensational headlines that you are exposed to daily?
How do you respond to those who are seeking to gain your attention?
To those who want your readership?
To those who want to control your thought process?
To those who seek to excite your emotions?
Does this type of rhetoric disturb you?
Do their words bring peace?
Or do their words bring angst, anxiety, anguish, or a an promote arrogance that results in chaos, confusion, corruption, and/or consternation that manifests itself in a rebellious unloving attitude within you that brings anger; or that may even promote a spirit of lawlessness?
Strong words.
But it has been my observation that what is being observed and heard in our nation is the result of the ‘seeds’ of ‘negative rhetoric’ that have been planted, faithfully watered through daily repetition, and is now bearing ‘fruit’.
Q: But what kind of fruit?
{Jesus told a parable in Matthew 13:36-43, in which He identifies Satan as the sower of ‘bad seeds’.}
The ‘fruit’ of the ‘negative seeds’ are ‘weeds’ that have blossomed and are now being seen as they really are, false information.
Since the last election, the soil of our nation is being plowed; the old crops are being removed; and new ‘seeds’ are being planted.
This has brought delight to some; and consternation to others.
Some say, the new ‘seeds’ will yield a ‘positive crop’; others contend that the new ‘seeds’ will yield a ‘negative crop’.
Such is the ‘divided opinion’ of our nation.
The scripture says that you will “know a tree by its fruit” (Matthew 7:15-20)
Q: Why does Biblical Hope Oppose Political Expectation?
A. Because Biblical Hope opposes the work of Satan, God’s adversary, our enemy.
So,
Q: Where does the influence, the ‘seeds of negativity’ originate?
A: The answer is found succinctly in James 3:13-18.
Our issue is greater than most people may understand.
The difference between ‘above’ and ‘below’ as described in James is the result of what took place in eternity before the creation of the world.
Q: What happened?
In eternity past, before the creation of the world, in the presence of God, Lucifer(Satan) determined (decided to personally choose) he wanted to be greater than God. (Isaiah 14:12-15, Ezekiel 28:15-17) (inserts mine)
That was the beginning of the conflict over authority.
Q: So, who is in authority in the universe?
A: God, Himself, the One True God.
Since Lucifer’s(Satan) declaration choosing to be greater than God and refusing to maintain his position of submission to God, his decision unleashed the continual struggle of wrestling with the claim of who is in charge?
Lucifer came out from under God’s authority, and said ‘I will ‘ be the authority over God Himself.
The Word of God is very explicit regarding the relationship between those ‘in’ authority and those ‘under’ authority.
Why?
Because it mirrors the willful transgression between God and Lucifer.
Fact: God never abuses His authority.
It is impossible.
However, those under His authority can choose to rebel, to sin, and misuse their position of ‘governance’ by abusing their use of authority.
The love, grace, and mercy of God brought to an end to the abuse of authority by the Person of Jesus Christ, who perfectly obeyed His Father, perfectly kept the Law, and never sinned. (Romans 5)
It was Jesus’ death on the cross that conquered Satan’s willful desire to subterfuge God’s authority.
Jesus did what Adam failed to do.
Adam came out from under God’s authority, when he disobeyed God, and became an authority unto himself. (Romans 5)
Jesus, did not come out from under His Father authority. He did not disobey His Father. Jesus did not become an authority unto Himself. (Matthew 4:1-11; Phiippians 2:5-11; Romans 5)
Jesus’ death on the cross, His burial, and His resurrection validates His victory over death; and His complete victory over Satan’s rebellion against God’s authority. (I Corinthians 15:55-58; Hebrew 2:14-15; 1 John 5:4, 19; Colossians 2:15)
Jesus’ death on the cross was much more than that because Jesus is the ‘Lamb of God’ who took away the sin of the world.(John 1:29)
All praise be to God, the One and Only, True God.
It is interesting that as I am sharing about the negative effects of headline news; the following headline was posted on CBN, the Christian Broadcast Network on 5/5/2025.
CBN was reporting the results of the Kentucky Derby held on 5/4/2025.
The horse that won the race was named, ‘Sovereignty’; the horse that finished second was named ‘Journalism’.
The headline read as follows: ” ‘Sovereignty’ Greater Than ‘Journalism’ at Kentucky Downs: ‘A Heavenly Sent Headline?’ “
Whether or not it was a heavenly sent headline, it certainly speaks truth.
God’s ‘Sovereignty’ is greater than ‘Journalism’ headline news.
Q: Do you believe that?
The title of this post says Biblical HOPE Opposes Political Expectation.
Do you believe that?
It’s the headline news for this post!
Q: In ‘what’ are people putting their hope when they express themselves?
Q: What are individuals ‘looking for’ to be the ‘effect’ of their ‘hostile written words’ and/or their ‘demonstrations’, where they stand, shout, and clamor for their truth to be heard?
These reactions, engendered by humanity, are not unfamiliar to the history of mankind.
History is replete with individuals who have used a ‘writing instrument’ to communicate the ‘truth’ of their personal story, sharing it on a public platform.
There is nothing wrong with that.
Humanity, throughout history, has gathered itself together, for the express purpose to make a noticeable demonstration; drawing attention their grievances; making them ‘known’ by rising up against an oppression they envision oppressing their lives.
This is human nature reacting to their vicissitudes experienced in everyday life.
These reactions are an individual’s way of ‘explaining’ the futility of what they are experiencing; the injustices of they perceive to be true; the utter despair of their moment; and/or their apparent loss of hope.
I am not saying these experiences are not real.
Proverbs 13:12 tells us “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when desire is fulfilled, it is the tree of life.” (Amplified Version) (emphasis mine)
For many people, loss of hope is desperately real.
It is even fearful.
That does not make them wrong, but….
Q: Can a person or a populace be so overwhelmed with a loss of hope that they succumb to being ‘governed’; ‘taken advantage of’ by a person; a mindset; or an authority that presents a solution to their ‘hopelessness’?
The answer to this is YES!
It absolutely can happen; and it has.
History is full of individuals who have risen up to relieve the anxieties of ‘hopelessness’ for a people group, or for a whole nation.
Q: What names come to mind?
Some individuals have overtly taken power over a period of time; some have taken power by revolt; some have rallied people to align with them and overthrow those in power who are the oppressors.
This is validated throughout the annuals of the history of mankind.
We do not have to look back into historical antiquity for such examples; we can begin at 1900 and think forward.
Q: What have you witnessed in your own lifetime?
Such has been the bravado of this nation’s political agenda especially during the past decade.
Why?
Our headline news has centered upon one man.
That, one man, Donald Trump, came onto the political scene; his presence has caused disruption in our nation; our political process; our political posturing; and our political rhetoric.
What began as a political ‘crevice’ in 2015, has grown into a political ‘chasm’ in 2025.
In January of 2017, after Mr. Trump’s election to be President in 2016, I saw on a television news program a young lady holding a cardboard sign.
On her placard were two words-“be ungoverned”.
That sign disturbed me.
Does it disturb you?
Those two words gave me impetus to write.
It has resulted in composing posts about the concerns I have for our nation; and specifically to encourage the Church regarding their relationship to the Lord Jesus Christ in times of unrest.
This was fueled by the two words, “be ungoverned”.
The young lady’s two words are emblematic of declaring, ‘I will not be governed by President Trump’..
Q: Has the nation benefited from the ‘political expectations’ of those who are opposed to Donald Trump?
Q: Will this nation benefit from the ‘political expectations’ proposed by President Trump?
The answer to those questions is at the heart for the soul of our nation.
The position of ‘political expectations’ and their derived benefits has exponentially grown in our nation in the past decade.
Many people are saying all is hopeless?
Others contend there is hope.
It depends upon what you are focused.
I contend that Biblical HOPE Opposes Political Expectations.
Do you believe that?
Our nation, our populace, our political governance, in the eyes of many people is fractured beyond repair.
There is no doubt that one man’s presence on the political scene has resulted in the unleashing of vile rhetoric that has permeated this nation’s media; this nation’s opinion; this nation’s conscience; and this nation’s thought process.
All of this has resulted in galvanizing our nation into at least two political pockets of voters; one, characterized as ‘never Trumpers’ and the other as ‘MAGA Republicans’.
We know these two groups exist.
They are often referred to in our nation’s news.
However, there are many other individuals that do not identify with either group.
They are neither ‘anti-Trump’ nor are they ‘MAGA’ Republicans.
I will let you define yourself.
The populace of this nation lies between these following two extremes, a) those labeled ‘far left liberals’ and b) those labeled ‘far right conservatives’.
The ‘in-between-ers’ (my word) are the ones most affected by the daily political headlines and the strong political voices that espouse both ends of the political spectrum.
Q: What is your personal position?
Q: In ‘what’ do you hope?
Q: In ‘whom’ do you hope?
Q: On ‘what’ do you focus?
Q: On ‘whom’ do you focus?
Political analysts are constantly taking polls; searching out the political pulse of our nation; seeking for a meaningful understanding; trying to gauge the political heartbeat of our nation, providing us with information that may comfort us as a nation; or, as it is possible with any information, supplying us with information that may not comfort us at all.
The realization is that when real truth is provided, it comforts some, and disturbs others.
Some will be delighted ; others will be in despair.
I am guilty of finding fault with those in this nation that have authority over me.
I am guilty of verbally criticizing a President of the United States when his conduct was initially revealed in the headlines, and then conscientiously reported repeatedly to the people of this nation with headlines confirming or denying his conduct.
I can not longer do that.
Why?
Because, the Lord chastised me regarding my behavior.
I was not bashful about verbalizing the inappropriate conduct of President Clinton regarding his personal life in the White House.
The Lord was not pleased with me, nor my words.
I was not walking upright before the Lord in godliness and integrity.
My words, right or wrong regarding President Clinton, in the ‘eyes’ of the Lord , were ‘couched ‘ in a perceived righteous criticism.
This does not mean that, with respect to those in authority over me, I must approve of their behavior; be in agreement with their governing policies; or tolerant of their chosen lifestyle.
I have had to hold my ‘tongue’ about subsequent Presidents after President Clinton.
This means I need to set a guard over my mouth. (Psalms 141:3)
God’s Word instructs us in I Timothy 2:1-4 (Amplified Version), “FIRST OF all, then, I urge that petition [specific requests], prayers, intercessions [prayers for others] and thanksgiving be offered on behalf of all people, for kings and all who are in [positions of] high authority, so that we may live a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This [kind of praying] is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who wishes all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge and recognition of the [divine] truth.” (emphasis mine)
Re-read this verse and ask yourself, what is the result of obediently praying such prayers?
Q: What is God’s desire to happen when this prayer is obediently followed?
Q: Are we living, in a nation, where there is a peaceful and quiet lifestyle in all godliness and dignity?
Could you believe that an individual who obediently prays for those in authority can personally experience “peace and quiet in all godliness and dignity” in their own life?
I believe that is possible.
The Lord made me understand, ‘stop bad mouthing’ the President.
Q: Do you ‘bad mouth’ the President?
Q: Do you ‘bad mouth’ anyone in authority over you?
( I recommend that you read Acts 22:30-23:5. Why? To read about an incident in the life of the Apostle Paul.)
Q: How do you speak about others that have authority over you and are not elected officials?
I have learned that this not only applies in public; but also applies how I talk about those ‘in authority’ over me in private.
Q: What is the conversation like around the office ‘water cooler’?
And yes, I have been disobedient in the private sector and have needed to ask for forgiveness.
It occurs to me that someone that is strongly opposed to President Trump, may have not read this far in the post and may have interrupted their reading at an earlier place.
Let me hypothesize,
They have chosen ‘to grasp’ an earlier comment I made about those who seize control over a nation, politicize their agenda, take action by taking over, and wrongfully exercise their authority.
In essence they would say: ‘this is exactly what I have been telling you all along about Trump’; ‘wake up’; ‘take off your blinders’; ‘get your head out of the sand’; agree with me and all the others who see Trump as the very type of leader you have just described.
Yes, that may happen; but I can’t go there.
Why?
I cannot jump onto a verbal bandwagon lambasting President Trump.
That is the very thing the Lord corrected me about regarding President Clinton.
The entirety of the Word of God is very explicit about the relationship between those ‘in authority’ and those ‘under authority’.
Our world is floundering for truth.
Do you remember Pilate’s question to Jesus? “What is truth?”
However, like Pilate, who represented the ‘governing world’, refused to turn to the One who is the Truth.
When the moment for decision came, he ‘washed his hands of the whole issue’. (Matthew 27:24)
In Jesus’ dialogue with Pilate, He told him, that positionally, you “would have no authority over Me at all if it had not been to you from above.” (John 19:11, Amplified Version; see also Romans 13:1-5)
Truth is a Person, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life…” (John 14:6)
Our nation is fighting verbally over what is ‘truth’ regarding the governance of our nation by those in authority over us.
In doing so, they are at odds with the Word of God, and the Sovereignty of God.
That is foolishness.
Christians are divided as to how to respond to the injustices that they perceive need to be addressed in our nation.
Please understand I am not ignoring the injustices in our nation.
I am reflecting upon setting one’s hope on the political process to remedy all the injustices in our nation..
I am not enumerating those needs in this post.
But…
Christians have taken sides on how to ‘attack’ the governance of our nation.
Q: When you attack ‘governance’, are you unwittingly attacking ‘authority’?
We must be extremely wise in how we handle the injustices in our nation; that is why we must pray for those in authority over us.
*If there is division in the Christian community, then what is the source of that division?
Upon whom do the Christians need to focus to find the wisdom needed when seeking to bring hope to individuals who are suffering from hopelessness?
*Unfortunately, the Christian community has centered its attention upon the wrong person.
It is fighting over the truthfulness of those in authority over us in government, our elected officials; and not focusing on the One who is Truth, to Whom all authority has been given.
*It is fighting over the authority of God’s Word governing our lives as believers.
This ‘infighting’ is affecting the witness of the Truth of God’s Word in our nation and throughout the world.
The’ truth’ is that you cannot separate God’s Word into two different political ideologies.
One that you approve; or one that you oppose.
Why?
The Person of Jesus Christ is not divided into two political parties.
You cannot say I approve this passage of scripture; or say I oppose this passage of scripture.
God’s Word is absolute truth.
This reminds me of Joshua’s encounter with an individual, as he was pondering how to proceed regarding the city of Jericho.
Joshua sees an individual in his presence with his sword in his hand.
Joshua asks, are you for us or against us?
The person answers, ‘neither, I am in charge!’ (paraphrase of Pastor Robert Goree) {Joshua 5:13-15}
Jesus is the Word of God. (John 1:1-5;)
Selah.
Q: How many Presidents have you witnessed being maligned regarding their truthfulness?
It’s historical.
My hope for the future of this nation is not focused upon our President and his governance.
Am I praying for his ability to do what is right before the Lord?
Am I concerned about how the elected officials govern?
Absolutely
That is why I pray for those in authority over this nation.
My hope is focused upon the Lord Jesus Christ, and His authority over all the nations, which includes this nation, whoever is President.
Regarding the community of Christians wrestling over how to ‘fight’ the injustices in our nation?
God will not allow His Name, nor His Word to be misrepresented or maligned.
God will hold His people responsible for the abuse of His Word; and will hold His people responsible for their response to those in authority over them.
God has always held His people accountable for their response to Him and to His Word.
That is the historical record of the nation of Israel found in the Old Testament and in the New Testament scriptures, written for our instruction.
God has not changed.
His people will be held responsible for their lifestyle according to the Word of God in the place where they live.
The importance of ‘not speaking wrongfully’ about those in authority over you is taught throughout the entire Bible.
Remember, God will also hold those in authority accountable for how they use their governing authority.
Is there a time when the Christian community takes its stand against the governing ‘authority’ and says NO! ?
Yes.
We witnessed that in the lives of church congregations during COVID, that said “NO!” to what their governing authorities told them to do, because of their conviction regarding the relationship between those ‘in authority’ and those ‘under authority’ as they understood the Word of God.
I recommend that you read Francis Schaeffer’s ‘Christian Manifesto’ that addresses this type of situation, and other Biblical issues facing the Christian community. (Also see, Acts 4:13-31)
Romans 15:14, Amplified Version says, “For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope and overflow with confidence in His promises.” (emphasis mine) [see Romans 15:1-33 for the complete context]
After Jesus’ resurrection, He said to His disciples, “All authority(all power of absolute rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.” (Matthew 28:18 Amplified Version)
Do you believe that?
Do you believe that?
Do you really believe that?
He rules and reigns over all the nations of the earth.
He governs everything in the heavens and on the earth, according to His will and purpose, and that includes our nation and its administration.
We are told to pray for all those in authority over us.
Our President and his administration are included in that ‘all’.
They are responsible to the Lord.
We, as believers in Jesus Christ, are responsible to pray for them; and not negatively, verbally criticize them.
If the administration of this nation goes beyond its governing boundaries, the Lord, Himself, will do what is necessary, in His perfect timing, to judge, and to correct the administration’s wrong doing.
Do you believe that?
How then, are we, as followers of Jesus Christ to live, each day, of our lives, in this nation?
We are to be in the world, but not part of the world.
What does that mean?
The answer to that question is found in Jesus’ prayer to His Father prior to His betrayal and arrest.
Please read John 17:1-26.
What the Lord prayed is what He told His disciples to expect; He told them (us,too) how to live and conduct ourselves; and what the Word of God would be doing in their (our) lives as daily followers of Him. (inserts mine)
I am first a citizen of the Kingdom of God, governed by the Kingship of Jesus Christ, then I am a citizen of this nation.
Do not reverse the order; it will bring confusion.
I am a member of the Body of Christ, governed by the Holy Spirit, who guides and directs the Body of Christ according to the Word of God, in alignment with the Head of the Body, who is the Lord Jesus Christ.
Living by the Word of God will fulfill your personal responsibility as a citizen of this nation; in fact, it will enhance it.
Do you believe that?
God is seeking those who will worship Him in spirit and in truth. (John 4:7-26)
How?
Hebrew 11:1,6, Amplified Version, “NOW FAITH is the assurance(title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for(divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality-faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses]….But without faith it is impossible to [walk with God and] please Him, for whoever comes [near] to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He rewards those who [earnestly and diligently] seek Him.” (emphasis mine)
Therefore, I take my stand, with the Lord, in the truth of His Word, knowing “….[with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.” (Romans 8:28, Amplified Version)
This statement is about us as believers in Christ and as citizens of this nation.
Do you believe that?
So, where do you focus your hope?
in a man?
in a political system?
in the wisdom of this world?
or do you focus on the Person, the Lord Jesus Christ?
See Galatians 2:20
As a brother in Christ, I encourage you to focus on the Lord; to obey His Word and pray for those in authority over you; praying for all in authority, not just for President Trump and his administration;, but also for the elected officials in your state; and for the elected city officials wherever you live.
I confess my need to obediently pray for ‘all’ those in authority over me, as I am encouraging you to do.
It is possible that you are not living in the United States; however, you are reading this post; I encourage you to pray for the appropriate leaders in your nation and the local area in which you live.
I also want to encourage you to stop any negative verbal criticism that you may be engaged in regarding those in authority over you, wherever you are living.
When you see or hear something, written or spoken, against an authority, don’t engage in it.
Take it to the Lord; let Him deal with it; and ask Him for wisdom regarding how to respond to it.
Ask yourself this question, What does the Word of God say regarding the situation I am confronted with?
Word of warning: The enemy of our souls wants to tell you that it’s not wrong to engage in speaking negatively about those in authority over you.
The ‘adversary’ of your soul, Satan, wants to make you ‘adversarial’ to those in ‘authority’ over you.
That is what took place in the Garden of Eden.
Adam became ‘adversarial’ against God’s ‘authority’.
The world stands as an ‘adversary’ to God’s authority’.
Do not allow yourself to be entrapped into such a position.
I have fallen prey to this.
I have rationalized that I can handle it.
Guess what?
I couldn’t.
We need the Holy Spirit to guide us, direct us, and make us aware of the tactics of our adversary, Satan, who is the “accuser of the brethren”. (Revelation 12:10)
Satan is relentless, “seeking whom he may devour”. (1 Peter 5:8)
The wisdom of the world sounds rational; but it is foolishness in the sight of God.
Read Psalm 2 to understand how God responds to the foolishness of humanity’s thoughts against Him.
Remember Ephesians 6:10-18. (I encourage you to read this passage.)
{Please note the number of times the word ‘stand’ is used; and understand that “flesh and blood” (humanity) is not our enemy; our struggle is against rulers, powers, world forces of darkness, and spiritual sickness in the heavenly places.}
These are the very principalities, rulers, power, and the evil spiritual forces that Jesus defeated on the Cross, when He died, was buried, resurrected, ascended, and now sits at the right hand of His Father in heaven.
Christ’s death on the Cross is why all authority has been given unto Him.
What was abdicated by Adam and handed over to Satan has been taken back by Christ.
Colossians 2:15, Amplified Version, At the Cross, He, “…disarmed the rulers and authorities [those supernatural forces of evil operating against us], He made a public example of them [exhibiting them as captives in His triumphal procession], having triumphed ever them through the cross.”
I have said that Biblical Hope Opposes Political Expectation.
I hope that you believe that.
The Hebrew word for hope is Tikvah.
Word Wealth, Spirit Filled Life Bible, NKJV, pg 1260. hope, tiqvah (teek-vah); Strong’s #8615: Hope; expectation; something yearned for and anticipated eagerly; something for which one waits. Tiqvah comes from the verb qavah, meaning “to wait for” or “to look hopefully” in a particular direction.” (emphasis mine)
Psalm 62:5, Amplified Version,
“For God alone my soul waits in silence and quietly submits to Him, for my hope is from Him.”
Q: From whom does the psalmist’s hope come from?
A. From God alone.
Q: do you know the chorus, “my hope is in You, Lord, my strength is in You, Lord…it’s in You, it’s in You…..
I encourage you to reflect upon these words.
This is why Biblical HOPE Opposes Political Expectations.
There is so much ‘unprecedented unrest’ in our world.
In the midst of our uncertainty, however, we can rest and find refuge in God alone, for our “hope is from Him”.
Psalm 33:20-22 Amplified Version reads, “We wait[expectantly] for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. For in Him our heart rejoices, because we trust [lean on, rely on, and are confident] in His holy name. Let Your [steadfast] lovingkindness, O LORD, be upon us, In proportion as we have hoped in You*.” (*placed our confidence) (emphasis mine)
Our God and Father is a God of hope.
The Church, the Body of Christ is responsible to bring God’s message of hope to a lost and dying world; and believers are to be disciples of the Lord that manifest God’s hope to those who are living in hopelessness.
Q: If the Lord wrote a letter to His Church today, similar to the ones He had written to the seven churches of Asia Minor in The Revelation, I wonder what He would say to the Church ? (See Eric Metaxas, “Letter to the American Church)
I wonder if Christ’s Words would include a correction course regarding hope?
Waiting for God alone…
Psalm 62:1,2 “FOR GOD alone my soul waits in silence; from Him comes my salvation. He Alone is my rock and my salvation, my defense and my strong tower; I will not be shaken or disheartened. (Amplified Version)
How do you live each day of your life?
Jesus said, Matthew 16:24 Amplified Version, “Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to follow Me[as My disciple], he must deny himself[set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross[expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me[believing in Me, conforming to My example in living, and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me.]
Do you believe that?
If you do, then the ‘self’ in you, your “I” needs to be daily denied; you need to pick up your cross; and follow Him, learning to live by the ‘way of the cross’.
If you believe that, are you ready to live it?
If you are ready to live it, then the Lord will give opportunity to bring hope to individuals that He brings into your everyday life.
You can count on it.
Let me assure you, your heavenly Father is totally committed to you to become a mature son/daughter.
He loves you and is completely committed to you.
What is the other side of the ‘coin’ regarding Biblical HOPE?
By FAITH Biblical Hope Obediently Pursues Eternity (Hebrews 11:1,6)
How? by F.A.I.T.H. – Following Adonai Implies Trusting Him
“My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness, I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name…..”
Following Jesus, My Lord, in truth, looking forward in hope.
blessings deo
TBC
Living Words of Encouragement 