November 15, 2010

11-15-10 Monday, 7:22 am Springfield, 39 degrees.

Ezekiel 31:1 – 32:32
Ezekiel receives a message from the Lord to give to Pharaoh, king of Egypt. The message is in the form of a metaphor of the largest and tallest tree in the Lord’s garden being cut down, falling with a mighty crash. It is a warning to a powerful nation that even at its height of power and influence, disaster is near. Two things come to my mind – first, the trees that are growing in Baxter Pines in Kentucky, planted in the 1970’s, and the experience I have had admiring them, lamenting when strong ones die, and felling some to build a small log cabin. Second, the future of the United States, the tallest tree in the forest currently, and the possibility (likelihood) that someday it will come crashing down. All nations rise and fall, and to think that the U.S. is impervious to decline or fall is short-sighted.

I do not see any direct connection between the prophecies of Ezekiel and the U.S., but rather the general principal that leaders rise and fall, economies rise and fall, nations rise and fall. The question for us today, is “how shall we then live?” The answer lies in a life centered in God, surrendered to God, whose hope is in God and not the “gross national product” (gnp) or the value of its stock market. As one whose future retirement income is largely based on the economy and the stock market, I am diligent to put my trust in God, and not the projections of financial analysts. And at the same time, I seek to use wisdom (the wisdom that comes from God) in making decisions and planning for the future.

Hebrews 12:14-29
“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us give thanks, by which we offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe; for indeed our God is a consuming fire.” (verses 28-29) Hope in the future rests upon receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, no matter what happens in this world. My orientation is to give thanks, and offer to God acceptable worship with reverence and awe. This is the theme for the upcoming Sunday – thanksgiving Sunday, and lean into worship planning and my own personal offering to God acceptable worship for who He is and all He has done and will do.

Thank you Lord for your sovereignty and your plans. Thank you for the privilege of living in this time in history, and in this great and prosperous country. Use me as your servant, whose hope is in you, Lord, my life is in you, Lord, it’s in you, it’s in you!