Seek First the Kingdom
What a week it was in our country. We started off with the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. Our week proceeded with a March for Life in Washington on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade. All of this against the backdrop of a Presidential impeachment trial. Together, they remind us how divided we are as a country, as one’s political sympathies largely determine how we think about each of these events.
Yet this is not to be! Rather our thinking about issues of life, diversity, truth, justice, foreign policy, etc…are all to be shaped by the central truths of the scriptures and our allegiance to our true King, Jesus Christ. These truths cut across the political parties and have as little to do with making America great again as they do with individual rights and inclusivity as defined by our current climate.
I love the following prayer by one of our denomination’s senior statesmen, Scotty Smith, reflecting on the beginning of the impeachment trial. It is a great reminder to seek first, and seek above all, the Kingdom of heaven, and even more importantly, to seek the KING!
"Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?” “Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?” The commander of the Lord’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so." (Joshua 5:13-15)
"Lord Jesus, for we Americans, it’s not a happy day in our country’s capital and nation’s history. A presidential impeachment trial begins today in the American senate. Lord have mercy on us all.
The temptation will be for differing 'political tribes' to invoke your name, claim your allegiance, and assume they’re doing your bidding. But seeking to politicize and domesticate the Kingdom of God has never gone well in the history of mankind.
As in Joshua’s day, so in ours, may we fall facedown before you in reverent submission and silent hush—no matter our political affiliation. Lord Jesus, you are the ultimate 'commander of the LORD’s army.' In fact, you are the LORD. We don’t just take off our sandals before you, but also our agendas, pretense, anger, fears, and idols.
In the coming hours and days, may we seek first your Kingdom and your righteousness, Lord Jesus. May we speak the truth in love, wait upon you in hope, and pray without ceasing in the Spirit.
This isn’t an hour for 'us versus them' political drama and gamesmanship. It’s an hour to humble ourselves before you, lament that it has come to this, and greatly long for the fullness of your Kingdom to come. Until that Day, help us live, love, and labor to your glory, Lord Jesus. So very Amen we pray, in your merciful and mighty name."
Photo by Paul Zoetemeijer on Unsplash