STRANGERS IN A FOREIGN LAND
Kendra Intihar
Today's Scripture: “Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.” Psalms 146:3, ESV
Theme: True and lasting peace and hope are found in only one Son of Man: Jesus.
VIRTUAL REALITY
A while back, I came across the story of a man in South Korea who had become so immersed in his video gaming world that he forgot that the real world existed. He didn’t sleep, forgot to eat, and ended up succumbing to organ failure after a 50-hour gaming session. His story is not an isolated one. Many people have entered into the pretend world of virtual reality to the detriment of their physical reality.
SOJOURNERS
The Bible tells us that as believers, we are sojourners — strangers in a foreign land. In a way, we are sojourning here in a “virtual” reality. Our faith compels us to make the radical proclamation that, because of Jesus Christ, the kingdom of God is right here among us (Mark 1:15). We may operate inside of worldly systems, but the world is our “foreign land.” America is our “foreign land.” The man-made government in which most of us dutifully and thoughtfully participate is our “foreign land.”
Our hope is in the God of the universe who was and is and is to come. We know that the throne of God was not shaken when Moses fled Pharaoh. Neither was the throne of God shaken when King Ahab did “more evil in the eyes of the Lord than any of those before him.” (1 Kings 16:30, NIV). God remained enthroned through the reigns of Nero, Genghis Khan, Vladimir Lenin, Joseph Stalin, and Adolf Hitler. All of them have passed away, but we have a King, uncreated and eternal, in whom we can put our whole trust.
BE AN ENCOURAGER
During election years, especially, we can be a light for those who need the hope of Christ! In the coming weeks, we will surely encounter people whose misplaced hope and trust is in the principalities and systems of this world. Some are distraught at what might happen if the “other side” wins. You may be tempted to think that, this time, the outcome is more critical than at any point in history. Some fatalistically keep the news on all day and post their tribal loyalty to individuals or groups of people; they don’t yet trust that God does not require earthly systems to enact heavenly outcomes. We cannot fall for the lie that our earthly systems are remotely equipped to help God with His plans! But we can be encouragers. We can be participants in the systems of this broken world – including the election process – and without fear, fix our eyes on Jesus, regardless of the outcome.
Make it Personal: Jesus said that we would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon us, not when our team achieved the highest office in the land. Our true Kingdom is so radically different from the one we occupy here on earth that it can scarcely be comprehended. Herein lies our ministry during this season, friends: We are not called to join the world in hopeless hand-wringing over the outcomes of earthly elections, but to draw people into the saving beauty of Jesus Christ.
Pray: Lord, You are unshaken and unshakable! My faith is in You alone, no matter what swirls around me. Make me a light and an encouragement to family, friends, neighbors, and strangers who need freedom from their “virtual” reality. Make me Your instrument in offering the hope of Jesus in an epidemic of misplaced hope. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Read: Hebrews 13:14; Philippians 3:20; Colossians 3:1-3
Weekly Memory Verse: “Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.” I Peter 2:17, ESV