November 6, 2020
It’s been a full and heavy last two weeks. I thank you (and I thank God) for your prayers for our Session retreat two weekends ago, and for my study week last week. Your elders had a good conversation about our purpose and passion as a church - why we exist - and about the specific ministry focus the Lord has given us in light of our unique history, location, demographic, and gift mix. Likewise, my study week was blessed by our heavenly Father - not only did I get to map out much of the 2021 church calendar and preaching calendar, I was able to feed my soul by reading D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones’ classic book Preachers and Preaching again, and Dane Ortlund’s book about Jesus, Gentle and Lowly, and I started studying for the 2021 preaching series (more on those in a later post!).
As you know, our brother Step Morgan was in a horrific mountain biking accident the Friday afternoon before our October 24 Session retreat, and ended up having his lower left leg amputated. This tragedy has been a sober reminder for me of how quickly life can be completely and radically turned upside down and inside out. But God has been good throughout this affliction, and Step and Jessica’s response to God’s providence has been such an encouragement and an example. I can’t wait until he has a chance to share more with you about the way God has showered him and his family with grace in the midst of this trial. Several passages of God’s word that speak of the responses of God’s people to trials have stuck in my heart the past two weeks:
“…but God meant it for good, to bring about this present result…” (Genesis 50:20)
“The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” (Job 1:21)
“But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” (Daniel 3:18)
“Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.” (Habakkuk 3:17-18)
“I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel…” (Philippians 1:12).
“My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:39)
God has mercifully given the same heart response to the Morgans as He gave to Joseph, Job, Shadrach/Meshach/Abednego, Habakkuk, Paul, and Jesus His Son. Let us continue to pray for them - the journey ahead is going to be long and difficult, and they will need our support, physically and spiritually.
It’s also been a heavy week because of the uncertainty of our national elections. As of my writing this, neither candidate has won the 270 electoral college votes needed for victory. But no matter who wins, the following things remain true:
There is no doubt who is in charge and winning: Jesus is the King of kings and the President of presidents (Revelation 17:14; 19:16; Acts 17:7), and is reigning and ruling over all the nations. He is the divine-human Messiah who has been given all authority in heaven and on earth by His Father (Matthew 28:18), and must rule until all His enemies are under His feet (I Corinthians 15:25; Psalm 110:1).
The Christian’s calling is to pray for whoever is in authority over us, so that we might lead a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and dignity (I Timothy 2:2), and to submit to our governing authorities, so that by doing right we might silence the ignorance of foolish men (I Peter 2:13-15; Romans 13:1-6).
Like Joseph in Egypt, as well as Daniel and all the post-exilic saints in Babylon, we are to serve our country no matter who is leading it, seeking its welfare as those who are sojourners and exiles in America (Jeremiah 29:7), whose true citizenship is in heaven and not on earth (Philippians 3:20-21; I Peter 2:11-12; Titus 3:1-2).
Because we are citizens in two kingdoms, we must “render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:21). Though we are quick to serve our country, we must always be ready to obey God rather than men when the state commands us to disobey God, or prohibits us from obeying God (Acts 4:19; 5:29).
If we as Christians end up being more persecuted or more marginalized as a result of this election, let us remember that such is the normal Christian life (Matthew 5:10-12; Philippians 1:29-30). To quote Paul David Tripp about marriage, “What did you expect?” Christ’s kingdom advances through weakness, suffering, and opposition - we follow a Master who was crucified on a Roman cross. “Remember the word that I said to you, 'A slave is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also” (John 15:20).
May the Lord grant us grace to find our joy and peace in the Lord and not in any created person, thing, or institution, and to live as salt and light to our country in all circumstances.