Today is Thanksgiving Day in Canada.
Happy Thanksgiving!
May gratitude to God for all His blessings fill your day.
TO CHEW ON: "God be merciful to us and bless us,
And cause His face to shine upon us, Selah." Psalm 67:1
In the book The Armageddon Factor author Marci McDonald theorizes that there is a conspiracy of the Christian right in Canada to take over the reins of government, enforce righteous standards, and thus hasten what they believe will be the end of the world, signaled by the Battle of Armageddon. As you can imagine, this book is not sympathetic to Christians.
Among other things, it has unmasked to me the fear and loathing secular society feels at the idea of God's rule. Trouble is, that resistance to Christ's lordship isn't only present in secular society. I have seen evidences of it in my own heart. Do you find it in yours? This psalm reassures us we have nothing to fear. Here are some of the positives the psalmist sees for an individual and nation living in the smile of God's approval.
1. His "way" becomes known, His salvation is broadcast at home and internationally (Psalm 67:2).
[Way - derek means way, journey, direction, manner, habit, course of life (figurative), moral character (figurative).]
What is His way? It is the humble, gentle, free-from-guile lifestyle of Matthew 5, 6 & 7.
What is His salvation? It is Jesus, come to pay the penalty for our sin so we can be reconciled to God - John 3:16, 2 Corinthians 5:18-19.
2. He is a righteous judge for individuals and nations (Psalm 67:4).
Who of us hasn't been troubled by the apparent unfairness of human legal systems, how slowly their wheels turn, and how they appear to be in the control of those who have the most to gain from things being drawn out? What security to have a judge who sees and knows everything and has the power to administer it fairly - Hebrews 4:13.
3. Under His righteous rule, even the earth—nature, soil, plants—prospers (Psalm 67:6).
The promise of a flourishing natural world where God is honored and obeyed is repeated many times in the Bible: Leviticus 26:1-4, Psalm 85:8-12, Ezekiel 34:26-27, Zechariah 8:12.
So let's not be afraid. Let's put Jesus alone on the throne of our hearts and pray that in our nation He becomes Lord, not through laws that dictate it must be so but because individuals have willingly yielded to Him.
PRAYER: Dear God, I recognize the rebellion and independence of my own heart. Help me to put and keep You on the throne of my life. Amen.
MORE: A mixed bag
The Armageddon Factor
has shown me that Christian culture in Canada is a mixed bag. The book is a worthwhile read if you want to:- Find out about the beginnings and history of many of the faith-motivated organizations and movements active in Canada today. (McDonald delves into the EFC, the National House of Prayer, the Manning Centre to barely begin the naming.)
- Pray intelligently for those in the forefront of political power.
- Understand secular society's opposition to people of faith and their presence in Canada's political arena.
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Unless otherwise noted all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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