Thursday, September 7th, 2017

Congress is back in Washington, DC and has a very full plate of legislation and needs to attend to. Not only must they provide for Hurricane Harvey victims (and likely soon-to-be Irma victims), they also have issues like immigration and DACA, tax reform, and a budget and debt ceiling to pass. Unsurprisingly, the political parties are already jockeying for position with the American people so that their plans come out on top. Caught in the middle are all of us, the American people. In such highly politicized times like these, the news media wants us to choose a side – Democrat or Republican – and vehemently oppose the other. It is a situation similar to that which Elijah faced when the people of Israel drifted between worship of God and of Baal. In 1 Kings, Elijah confronted the 450 prophets of Baal and called on the people to choose a side. As the story goes, Elijah then put the Baal worshippers to shame as God ignited the water-logged bull offering, proving He is Lord.

In this time of politicization of everything, be on your guard not to be swept up in political furor that masquerades as moral righteousness. Just as there was no salvation in devotion to Baal, so there also is in devotion to a political party. The true choice today is whether we will follow Jesus first or political party first. Pray today for Jesus to take away any resentment from your heart brought about by politics, and go into the world ready to serve and love.

“And Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” And the people did not answer him a word." -- 1 Kings 18:21