“Blessed is the person who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the Law of the Lord, and on His Law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but they are like chaff which the wind blows away. Therefore, the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.” (Psalm 1 NASB)
Do you remember the song, “What’s Going On?” Sure you do. It’ the late, great Marvin Gaye’s hit that was released in 1971, a time many may consider an era that has passed. However, like the era in which Mr. Gaye’s song was popular, and the lyrics included pertinent, perfect, purely sensible questions, history would suggest that the same questions could apply to any era on this earth. Eras before the civil rights movement, eras during the Black Lives Matter Movement and the All Lives Matter Movement, and certainly this present era; this time period in which we live. Some of the excerpts, statements that any era finds applicable and can lay claim to, taken from “What’s Going On,” include, “too many of us dying (reporting the shocking, repetitive morning news), “ “picket lines and picket signs” (representing protest),” “got to find a way to bring some loving here today (revelation that people still don’t respond to Jesus’ command to love one another),” and “only love can conquer hate (revisit Dr. Martin Luther King’s statement about choosing love because hate is too much of a burden to bear).”
Over the decades you have lived, you can look at the present days and surmise that what’s going on in our world is just another case of déjà vu.
Yet, while man is doing his thing, we can have assurance that God is doing His thing. We can have confidence as faithful believers that for us, the righteous, everything will be alright.
Now, what I just said was not to cause you to not work to make the world a better place in your doings and your goings, and in every situation that just your being present can make a difference. No, we must do the work of Christ to make this world a better place, home by home, block by block, community by community, and country by country. So, don’t stop working for right, and don’t stop working for justice, or working by letting your voice be heard at the ballot box, don’t stop writing letters to your government representatives with peaceful expressions expounding on your frustration with another case of déjà vu. Keep working! Keep echoing some other familiar words in your dialogues with others, “Let freedom ring!” Don’t stop the work but stop the worry. God is still in control. If you need scriptural evidence to support that fact, just read the opening and closing passages. You may think they are too long, but actually they are not, as compared to lengthy expositions or even in terms of the time you spend on social media. I’m done. But let me encourage you to go out today and be a positive example of a person who has not lost their hope. Live like you know for sure that there is a brighter day ahead. Be blessed!
“God is our refuge and strength, a tested help in times of trouble. And so we need not fear even if the world blows up and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam; let the mountains tremble! There is a river of joy flowing through the city of our God—the sacred home of the God above all gods. God Himself is living in that city; therefore it stands unmoved despite the turmoil everywhere. He will not delay His help. The nations rant and rave in anger—but when God speaks, the earth melts in submission and kingdoms totter into ruin. The Commander of the armies of heaven is here among us. He, the God of Jacob, has come to rescue us. Come, see the glorious things that our God does, how He brings ruin upon the world and causes wars to end throughout the earth, breaking and burning every weapon. ‘Stand silent! Know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation in the world!’ The Commander of the heavenly armies is here among us! He, the God of Jacob, has come to rescue us!” (Psalm 46 The Living Bible)
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King