Tuesday, October 11, 2016

The Quagmire

UV 2091/10000 The Quagmire
That they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince asketh, and the judge asketh for a reward; and the great man, he uttereth his mischievous desire: so they wrap it up
Micah 7 v 3

Today, there is no one who is upright. All are skilled in doing evil. Evil is covered in a veneer of sophistication. The ruler and the judge expect bribes. Everyone is keen on advancing their own interests. They conspire together to mutual benefit. They are intent on dishonest gain. They are not interested in the truth or righteousness or justice. If need be, they are ready to shed blood to achieve their goal. From the least to the greatest, people have given in to covetousness. Thieves and mischief abounds in every land. It is at such a time as this that the Lord looks for watchmen who will stand in the huge gap and pray. Watchmen who trust in the Word and hope for the coming of the Lord and His righteous rule on earth.

The current election to the most powerful office in the world-the Presidency of the USA is a case in point. Never before have both parties offered candidates who do not have the moral credentials or standing required. It is a case of extreme moral bankruptcy on either side. On the one hand, we have a person who had a playboy lifestyle and the other an overly ambitious and unscrupulous former first lady. It is in times like these that the Lord looks for faithful watchmen in every land who will watch and pray. As we watch and pray, we hope in the Lord and the tide will change. All changes are first wrought in the spiritual realm and then get reflected in the physical, political, cultural and social spheres. Once we recognize the symptoms of our age, we should base our faith on the rock-like foundation of the word and the Lord will stem the rot. Spiritual watchmen influence every sphere and realm – the physical, the political, the economic, the cultural, the social, the emotional and psychological.

We should not surrender to the enemy and remain hopeless and frustrated but take the realm by the force of our conviction and faith. We should not let the enemy wrap it up but pray that the Lord has the last word in every situation. Every human being’s experience is like that of a person caught in a mire or quick sand. Every attempt to extricate ourselves on our own efforts or strength only drives us further into the quagmire. It is only the Lord who can stretch His strong right hand, hold us and pull us out of the mire. Having pulled us out of the mire of our dead habits and beliefs, He needs to now place us on the rock of hope, the rock of salvation. What we build on that rock of hope and faith is what brings us our rewards in eternity.

Prateep V Philip

No comments:

Post a Comment