For you activists out there

By: American Decency Staff

Here's an everyday situation.

The day begins. Gotta run.  Late start.  Quick breakfast. "Wish I hadn’t stayed up so late last night.”

What about time in devotions?

Moving, working, thinking, considering, breathing without the mind of Christ to begin the day is so unwise, but so like us as human beings, prone to wander. 

We are prone to think our ways are the ways RATHER than recognizing that God’s ways are not our ways and our ways are not His ways. [Isaiah 55:8-9]

Our ways are not HIS ways. Exactly!  That’s why we need to stop and take time seeking God’s help, His anchoring, His Spiritual renewal, His correction, His leading as we prepare to live for Him, not for ourselves. 

I submit, therefore, that our convictions are being tested from the beginning of the day. And, some (many?) have not even been mentored in the importance of this spiritual reality!

DEVOTIONS!  Time with God. Prayer for God’s help, God’s grace, God’s mercy, God’s direction!

Not putting aside time with the Lord is to start your day compromised!  

Many verses come to mind, but here is but one central, oft quoted one:

Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.  [Matthew 6:33]

Noted pastor C.H.Spurgeon wrote:

"He hath said."
Hebrews 13:5

If we can only grasp these words by faith, we have an all-conquering weapon in our hand. What doubt will not be slain by this two-edged sword? What fear is there which shall not fall smitten with a deadly wound before this arrow from the bow of God's covenant? Will not the distresses of life and the pangs of death; will not the corruptions within, and the snares without; will not the trials from above, and the temptations from beneath, all seem but light afflictions, when we can hide ourselves beneath the bulwark of "He hath said"?

Yes; whether for delight in our quietude, or for strength in our conflict, "He hath said" must be our daily resort. And this may teach us the extreme value of searching the Scriptures. There may be a promise in the Word which would exactly fit your case, but you may not know of it, and therefore you miss its comfort. You are like prisoners in a dungeon, and there may be one key in the bunch which would unlock the door, and you might be free; but if you will not look for it, you may remain a prisoner still, though liberty is so near at hand. There may be a potent medicine in the great pharmacopoeia of Scripture, and you may yet continue sick unless you will examine and search the Scriptures to discover what "He hath said."
 

Since "He hath said" is the source of all wisdom, and the fountain of all comfort, let it dwell in you richly, as "A well of water, springing up unto everlasting life." So shall you grow healthy, strong, and happy in the divine life.

[Spurgeon, Morning by Morning]

A couple of thoughts in closing. I would suspect that many of you reading this have been disgusted by different ones who have named the name of Christ during this presidential primary season, but have bewildered you by their endorsement of this candidate or that, or have used filthy talk throughout the campaign, or who have slandered, demeaned, and unfairly spoken half-truths (even lies) about another to make that person look bad, so they themselves would look good.

As Christians, we look around and we are disgusted by the hypocrisy, the duplicity, the deceit.  We see the precedent that is being set by this, the terrible example, the undermining of time-honored standards of decency.  Are these supposedly Christian candidates finding their strength in God's word?

Being solidly grounded in Christ, in spiritual maturity, and in relationship with Christ, strengthens us against the foe: the devil, and His demons (Ephesians 6:10-19).

What about you?  What about me?  We don’t face the immense pressure, the attacks, the lies, the liars, the corruption, the biased media.  Would we be able to withstand the evil one under such embattled conditions?   I state this as I don’t want to be unfair to these different individuals. 

But, I will say this.  I believe that as God is faithful to us – that a person who is holding fast to God, His Word under the moment by moment, daily strengthening of God by His Word and grace, can and will overcome!

Lastly, for you activists out there.  The Biblical concept, in part, for activists, I believe is exhortation. 

As Christ exhorts me to higher ground, I exhort you!  God calls you to feed on His Word as you rise up in the morning, filling your heart, soul and mind in Christ; that He would be glorified and that you would be strengthened and renewed day by day!

I have been and am an activist.  I have picketed many times.  I have testified many times. I have needed Christ and need Him to help me as I continue in these days of great spiritual embattlement!

And, lastly:  I AM IN HIS WORD DAILY!

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