Humble Perspective

1 Timothy 2:1-3 First of all, I ask that you pray for all people. Ask God to bless them and give them what they need. And give thanks. You should pray for rulers and for all who have authority. Pray for these leaders so that we can live quiet and peaceful lives—lives full of devotion to God and respect for him. This is good and pleases God our Savior.

Ephesians 6:12 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.

The two scriptures above have been repeatedly highlighted to me over the past few weeks. Probably due to the news and political unrest I've been witnessing across our nation. While at times I want to respond to the obscene amount of unkind, judgmental, downright hateful things I see across the board on social media, I feel the Father hold me steady. I feel Him calm my spirit and remind me that our battle is not against one another. It is against the enemy of our souls, who is working overtime to release chaos and hatred. Working to drive an unholy wedge between us and God, and between us and our fellow man.

I believe God is the One we should be responding to. His truth, His goodness, His mercy and grace is worthy of our full attention. His thoughts and ways are always higher. His wisdom is superior to the chatter we hear in this world and in our own minds. As much as we think we know, we have Someone that knows a lot more! A friend recently quoted some of the scriptures in Job where God tells Job to brace himself while He speaks to Him:

“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you know and have understanding. “Who determined the measurements of the earth, if you know? Or who stretched the measuring line on it? “On what were its foundations fastened? Or who laid its cornerstone…" Job 38:4-6

When we encounter this God of ours, it humbles us. We become like Job (42:3-5), saying: 

“Therefore I now see I have rashly uttered that which I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. ‘Hear, please, and I will speak; I will ask You, and You instruct and answer me.’ “I had heard of You only by the hearing of the ear, But now my spiritual eye sees You." 

Or the prophet Isaiah who cried out in Isaiah 6:5: 

"And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!” 

It makes us realize the Almighty God, Creator of the seen and unseen, is more than we can even imagine. He is matchless, equal to none. He is ALL-powerful, ALL-knowing and EVER-present. And very simply put, we are not.

Yet He purposefully set us on a course to be with Him. To know Him. To know who He made us to be. He is calling us to take our place in His Kingdom. As Christians, we have the opportunity to engage His Spirit living in us. To respond to the Word that was in the beginning, that became flesh, defeated death, and rose in victory to the heavens. The One that calls us higher. Calls us to a higher standard. A higher purpose. A higher perspective. To remember that Father God is not a tyrant but a perfect Father, slow to anger and abounding in love. To engage this world through the lens of being His children, knowing our time here is short and that eternity beckons. Eternity with Him in paradise.

We often respond to the things of this world as if we are slaves to it. Not so. We are in the world but not of it. We have more influence and strength inside of us than we realize. The same power that rose Jesus from the dead. And yet many live in response to what's happening in the world - fear, chaos, uncertainty, anxiety, oppression take a front seat. We "come under" their authority and give those things more power and attention than we have to.

God teaches us to pray. To follow His lead. We can pray and speak peace to the chaos. We can pray for healing for the sick or broken. We can pray for captives to be free and prisoners to be released from darkness. We can produce love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. It's in us as believers and children of God. Isn't that great news?!

God is calling His people off the bench to seek His counsel, His face, His will. He is prompting His people to take their place as children of God. To establish a heart-to-heart connection with Him. To pray…to ask Him what His heart is for us…so we are able to respond with confident faith in God when the enemy shoots his arrows…so we can know and wear the armor God has so graciously and wisely given us...to remember our victory in Him…

Lord, You are greater than anything or anyone I could name and every scenario I could ever come up with. You are Almighty God and You are glorious! I am humbled in Your presence, and everything in my spirit seems to rise higher in praiseful response to Your glory. Teach me Your ways and empower me to live fully for You. My heart is full of wonder…full of gratitude. For I remember how You saved me and called me to Yourself, purified me, and set my feet on a path to Your beautiful heart. The mercy…the grace…the unbridled love…

1 Peter 2:17 Show respect for all people - treat them honorably, love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.