The Christian and Politics: Stand Fast
The God of Israel said, The Rock of Israel spoke to me:
‘He who rules over men must be just,
Ruling in the fear of God.
And he shall be like the light of the morning when the sun rises,
A morning without clouds,
Like the tender grass springing out of the earth,
By clear shining after rain.’
(2 Samuel 23: 3-4 – NKJV)
Dear Friends,
Many are shouting for Christians to do something to save America, when perhaps the best course of action may be to simply stand fast (or still) wearing our spiritual armor and looking to the LORD until He commands us into action. Here is a devotional from Charles Spurgeon’s “Morning & Evening Daily Readings” which has good advice that I believe is applicable for the Christian in the political realm as we wait for strong godly men to vote for.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord." (Exodus 14:13)
“These words contain God's command to the believer when he is reduced to great straits and brought into extraordinary difficulties. He cannot retreat; he cannot go forward; he is shut up on the right hand and on the left; what is he now to do? The Master's word to him is, ‘Stand still.’
"It will be well for him if at such times he listens only to his Master's word, for other and evil advisers come with their suggestions. Despair whispers, ‘Lie down and die; give it all up.’ But God would have us put on a cheerful courage, and even in our worst times, rejoice in His love and faithfulness.
"Cowardice says, ‘Retreat; go back to the worldling's way of action; you cannot play the Christian's part, it is too difficult. Relinquish your principles.’ But, however much Satan may urge this course upon you, you cannot follow it if you are a child of God. His divine fiat has bid thee go from strength to strength, and so thou shalt, and neither death nor hell shall turn thee from thy course.
"What, if for a while thou art called to stand still, yet this is but to renew thy strength for some greater advance in due time. Precipitancy cries, ‘do something. Stir yourself; to stand still and wait, is sheer idleness.’ We must be doing something at once--we must do it so we think--instead of looking to the Lord, who will not only do something but will do everything.
"Presumption boasts, ‘If the sea be before you, march into it and expect a miracle.’ But Faith listens neither to Presumption, nor to Despair, nor to Cowardice, nor to Precipitancy, but it hears God say, ‘Stand still,’ and immovable as a rock it stands.
"‘Stand still’;--keep the posture of an upright man, ready for action, expecting further orders, cheerfully and patiently awaiting the directing voice; and it will not be long ere God shall say to you, as distinctly as Moses said it to the people of Israel, ‘Go forward.’"
‘He who rules over men must be just,
Ruling in the fear of God.
And he shall be like the light of the morning when the sun rises,
A morning without clouds,
Like the tender grass springing out of the earth,
By clear shining after rain.’
(2 Samuel 23: 3-4 – NKJV)
Dear Friends,
Many are shouting for Christians to do something to save America, when perhaps the best course of action may be to simply stand fast (or still) wearing our spiritual armor and looking to the LORD until He commands us into action. Here is a devotional from Charles Spurgeon’s “Morning & Evening Daily Readings” which has good advice that I believe is applicable for the Christian in the political realm as we wait for strong godly men to vote for.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord." (Exodus 14:13)
“These words contain God's command to the believer when he is reduced to great straits and brought into extraordinary difficulties. He cannot retreat; he cannot go forward; he is shut up on the right hand and on the left; what is he now to do? The Master's word to him is, ‘Stand still.’
"It will be well for him if at such times he listens only to his Master's word, for other and evil advisers come with their suggestions. Despair whispers, ‘Lie down and die; give it all up.’ But God would have us put on a cheerful courage, and even in our worst times, rejoice in His love and faithfulness.
"Cowardice says, ‘Retreat; go back to the worldling's way of action; you cannot play the Christian's part, it is too difficult. Relinquish your principles.’ But, however much Satan may urge this course upon you, you cannot follow it if you are a child of God. His divine fiat has bid thee go from strength to strength, and so thou shalt, and neither death nor hell shall turn thee from thy course.
"What, if for a while thou art called to stand still, yet this is but to renew thy strength for some greater advance in due time. Precipitancy cries, ‘do something. Stir yourself; to stand still and wait, is sheer idleness.’ We must be doing something at once--we must do it so we think--instead of looking to the Lord, who will not only do something but will do everything.
"Presumption boasts, ‘If the sea be before you, march into it and expect a miracle.’ But Faith listens neither to Presumption, nor to Despair, nor to Cowardice, nor to Precipitancy, but it hears God say, ‘Stand still,’ and immovable as a rock it stands.
"‘Stand still’;--keep the posture of an upright man, ready for action, expecting further orders, cheerfully and patiently awaiting the directing voice; and it will not be long ere God shall say to you, as distinctly as Moses said it to the people of Israel, ‘Go forward.’"
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