THE WAY TO CERTAIN VICTORY

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In Christ, Mark

The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers.

The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord.

Proverbs 11:14, 21:31

This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

As I sit down to write this morning, a dispute between the two major U.S. legislative bodies over a sweeping health care plan known as Obamacare is threatening to shutdown the government in a matter of days, putting a lot of people out of work without pay and diminishing services provided to the public.

Conflict is nothing new to this chapter of the House and Congress. They have been at odds with each other for several years now, one the Senate being controlled by the Democratic Party while the House controlled by the rival Republicans. Adding issue to the consistent clash is a partisan President who is a Democrat. Instead of seeking compromise and working to build bridges between parties, he instead has pushed his party’s agenda against the Republicans, particularly with the health care reform at the center of the current problem.

At risk in this political fight are the American people. Unfortunately, they are the ones who will bear the brunt of the fallout. Politicians talk a good game but they have deftly built in safeties for themselves so that they and their families will be protected in the event that a shutdown happens. And so they play high stakes chess with the lives of their constituents in play.

Now, let me say that I really dislike politics and this is a Christian devotion, not a political diatribe. But it’s important to frame the matter at hand and then look at what the Book of Proverbs offers in the way of wisdom and guidance. In other words, how could turning to God’s word change the story here? Look at these two verses for the answers:

For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers. Proverbs 11:14

The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord. Proverbs 21:31

You know, our founding fathers saw us as a nation under God but today we are far from that. In fact, there continues to be an increasing apostatic attitude which pushes God out of government and sadly, it has been a success. Our current situation is a perfect indicator of that.

Why do I say that?

Because a president and government entities who were truly allowing God to guide and lead them would consistently adopt a cooperative and conciliatory attitude about their dealings with one another. They wouldn’t be defined by their party as much as by their Father – their Founding Father. Placing God first would always ensure they were moving in accordance with His will for the nation and His people within it. And with this, every decision would be a victory because God would be at the center of it, magnified and glorified for the right, just, and fair ways He has guided the nation in.

Void of His direction, a nation will be governed just as it is today with resultant consequences that cause failure and falling. We shouldn’t be surprised as God’s word has promised it. And no matter how prepared competing sides feel they are for the battle at hand, they will not ever gain true victory. They may think they do but victory has and always will be with the Lord. The victory will never be credited to any man or woman but rather to the One who made them, the One who is rules and reigns over all creation.

Friends, the only certainty for victory comes through seeking the Lord’s guidance and advice and then following it. Whether we’re talking about governmental wrangling over major policy issues or personal wrangling over decisions we have in life, the Lord is ready to lead us to His will and way through His word and Spirit, a will and way that will always result in a perfect outcome of righteousness and holiness.

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

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