Place our trust in the Lord

This last year I committed, along with several of my congregation, to read the Bible through from Genesis to Revelations three chapters a day and on Sunday five chapters. This morning, in my daily reading my attention was caught by the words of Jesus Christ written in Matthew chapter six. Verses twenty-five through thirty-four share a comforting message of needing not to worry. “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear.” In this day we have much to worry about. I’ve had recent conversations with a single mom who is out of work and worried about keeping their apartment – with no income she is uncertain how she will make rent. Another woman I talked with has been out of work for almost six-months. A young girl has an aunt with terminal cancer. Another person suffers from depression. A husband and wife are having marital problems. The parents of teenagers are pulling their hair out over the dangerous antics of the teens. There is enough worry and concern to go around, of that I have no doubt.

How then, do these words from Jesus Christ bring us comfort? Where do we find ease from these problems we face each day? Verse thirty-three tells us, “But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Putting Christ and the kingdom of God first allows us to focus on what is really important in our lives. Our regular devotion, prayer, fasting and serving permits us clearer minds on what is to be valued and helps us to make wiser decisions. Our decisions and life-style choices impact what happens on a day to day basis.

In my pre-marital counseling with young couples I always bring attention to how the couples will move forward in their relationship. Who will they place first, each other or God? If we place God first then the troubles we face will be more manageable and more easily overcome. We no longer rely on the other person to be our all, but we rely on God to be our all.

I think this is, in part, what Christ is telling us through the writings of Matthew. We are to put God first in everything we do. That is where our reliance is to be. Not on the secular powers or authorities or on one another. Indeed we do rely on one another for some things, as God intends. However, ultimately our reliance must be on God. This will bring us a peace of mind, soul and assurance that we are in the good hands of our Creator.

“So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”

Prayers for the President

It’s Tuesday evening and I’m following the presidential and other national and local political races on the one television channel we have – Channel 27 WKOW and ABC. My family and I are at a relatively remote cottage off Curtis Lake in Marquette County. We are on a brief vacation – gratitude of our neighbor and church member who loaned us the use of their family cottage. The remoteness is beautiful, the lake serene, the weather is unbelievably warm (low to mid-70’s). We could not have asked for a better vacation spot to relax in after a very busy year at the church.

We are fortunate to have one television channel reception on which I am watching and listening to the race results. At this time it is 8:30 pm. Results are still coming in and while I have my suspicions I am not sure who will be our next United States president. Regardless, I am prayerfully hopeful the “right” president will be elected. “Right” means different things to different people. In light of our last eight years, the wars, the economy, and the overall confidence of the US people, I believe “right” boils down to a leader who can lead with an assuredness that will rejuvenate this country.

Regardless of who is successful there will be great challenges before the president. Our new president must have vision, be able to plan, react and pro-act effectively while reestablishing confidence in our country. Our new president must take great strides to renew our economy, address the situation in Iraq and Afghanistan, not to mention Pakistan and North Korea. Beyond this, the American people need to have a renewed faith in the president. Our next president must be able to plan, strategize, command with confidence, and rebuild worldwide damaged relationships. The character of this president will be of primary concern. The news reporters are interviewing people in Ohio as I type this blog and many of the people are saying we need change.

Indeed we need change. And as of approximately 10:15 p.m. ABC has declared by electoral votes our new president elect to be Barack Obama. Can he fulfill the basis of his campaign promise to bring about positive and healthy change? Time will tell. This is a historic moment that will undoubtedly affect millions of lives in ways heretofore unexpected and perhaps un-thought of.

Tonight I pray that he will walk with God in his decisions. May he ask for God’s guidance and the power of the Holy Spirit to bring about the greater good – God’s good. May God’s hand of wisdom lie upon him bringing new insight, courage and fortitude to handle the challenges he will face. May God bless him and keep him strong in this most difficult journey and may he be blessed to be a blessing unto others. May the Light of Christ shine in perpetuity through this man as he chases the darkness from this land. As our faith and hope lie in Christ, may we once again regain our faith and hope in our president.