May 17 – Reading 137

MAY 17 – Reading 137

by Tim Satryan | May 17

“RED OR BLUE; RIGHT OR LEFT”
(Psalms 75:1-10; 76:1-12; 77:1-20; 79:1-13)

“For no one on earth—from east or west, or even from the wilderness— can raise another person up.” – Psalm 75:6

I’m no longer a “young man”… I have lived long enough to witness many changes in the world in which we live. And I can say this with confidence – I have never before witnessed a time of more division in this nation – and perhaps even in the church – than we are today! 

Some folks place the blame for this on social media, where people can become “keyboard warriors” hiding behind their computer or phone. Some people believe that political agendas dictate all the mainstream media. What I have personally seen is that people have become sharply divided, and seem to think that one political party, or one agenda, is the answer and must rise up, and the other party or position, must be demolished, at seemingly any cost. This never used to be the way our nation operated, and was certainly never true in the church.

We need to recognize these things:

1. God is in control, not any man or organization. (Psalm 75:2) HE has planned…HE keeps the foundations firm.

    

2. Stop your boasting! (Psalm 75:4) It’s time for Christians to stop “raising their fists” – especially about temporal matters, and begin to focus on things eternal!

    

3. It is God who judges, and decides who rises and falls! (Psalm 75:7) No one is “elected” or placed in a position unless God has determined and allowed it to happen!

    

Simple Truth:
“Behold how good and how pleasant it is when brethren dwell together in unity!” – Psalm 133:1

Reflection and Application: 

• Rather than creating division over some political position, wouldn’t it be far better to seek harmony and things we agree on?

   

• There is zero room in the church for division, fighting, and bickering. Churches never fail because of problems from the outside, but will always fail and crumble due to conflict within.

   

• There is a hymn, written over 100 years ago, where the refrain says “Build your hope on things eternal, Hold to God’s unchanging hand.” That thought is more needed today than ever before!

Closing Prayer:
God, it is so very easy, in my own flesh, to find points of disagreement with others. Help me to rise above this fleshly thinking, and focus instead on eternal things, including the salvation of those around me. I ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.