It is frustrating to listen to the news and political commentary currently barraging us of late. It seems as though our propensity as a nation is toward the horrific, bad, and negative news – whether it is true or mere speculation. The Political Polls are a case in point – Polls that are indicating today that which they predict will occur several months from now when an actual election is held. With the expanded use and interest in the Internet, all kinds of email, gossip, suspicions and what is deemed to be “fact” is spread widely and indiscriminately in an almost constant stream.
To this end, CNS features this headline and story today: “Former Clinton Adviser: 'Very Possible' Obama Will Bow Out of Presidential Race.” The initial paragraphs of the column state the following: “In an interview with conservative radio icon Sean Hannity, former President Clinton adviser and campaign manager Dick Morris stated that, after speaking with a Democratic strategist, he thinks it is very possible that President Obama might acquiesce to requests from the Democratic leadership in Congress and bow out of the 2012 race, leaving the door open for him to return sometime in the future. I asked a top Democratic strategist the other day and he thought that it was possible that, in January, Harry Reid comes to Obama and says, Look you cost us control of the House last year, you’re going to cost us control of the Senate this year. For the good of the party you have to step aside’” said Morris. And, then, (Obama) pulls a Lyndon Johnson, he says I’m fighting to solve the recession, and problem is because of partisanship and my re-election people reject everything I say because of partisanship, so I’m going to not run for president and focus my full time attention on solving this recession’ and then go out popular, Morris added.” There’s more of this story but this is sufficient to give you a sense of how political rumor and innuendo will begin to inundate us with suspicions and prognostications about this “reliable source.”
In the first few years of the First Century, political times were cause for concern and the actions of some political leaders were harsh and cruel. When the Apostle Peter wrote his two letters (epistles) to the believers, the times were difficult and uncertain. The Church did not meet in one location – Christians were scatter in different locations. There is an interesting translation in The Message from I Peter 1:1-3, “I, Peter, am an apostle on assignment by Jesus, the Messiah, writing to exiles scattered to the four winds. Not one is missing, not one forgotten. God the Father has his eye on each of you, and has determined by the work of the Spirit to keep you obedient through the sacrifice of Jesus. May everything good from God be yours!” Wow! Really? Do “scattered to the four winds” and “may everything good from God be yours” fit together and mesh?And then, Peter dares to state in I Peter 3:8-11 (ESV) these guidelines for attitude and action: “Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. For whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.”
How then are we to live during chaotic times and when despotic rulers are gaining with their agendas? Peter cautioned and instructed in I Peter 2:16-17, “Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.” Can these principles of behavior be applied and function in the 21st Century? When the affairs of life seem so bleak and when hope is almost gone, can we both pray for and honor those who have set us on a road of uncertainty and instability? Paul gave this counsel in I Timothy 2:1-4, I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” This – we need to remember and do! Consider these things with me!
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