Palin, David, Nebuchadnezzar and the Glory of God

Although I do not talk politics much at all, one thing seems clear and helpful to me during this election year. I have heard much about the experience (or lack thereof) between Sarah Palin and Joe Biden. Although Biden might have many more years experience than Palin, it does not necessarily follow that better choices will be made. The truth is no matter how much experience a person has, it does not epuip them to make good choices. It will only be a solid conviction that God's word is absolute and true that will bring about God honoring, and therefore good choices. 2 Tim 3:16-17

Consider David. He was probably the least likely person to kill Golliath and lead a successful army. He may have been the least qualified person in the eyes of man, but it was not his qualification that helped him. It was his faith and obedience to God.

Now consider Nebuchadnezzar. Nebuchadnezzar had done much to extend his kingdom throughout Babylon. He had the experience of building a beautiful empire. Despite the warning given to him from David to glorify God and not himself, he does not honor God. The result - he becomes like an animal of the field. He cannot reason as humans do. His right frame of mind and reason is returned when he honored God.

“For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.” 1 Cor 1:26-29

May your trust not be in the wisdom of man, but in man's obedience to the wisdom of God and commitment to the glory of God.

You Will Be Mastered by Something...

In Matthew 6:24 Jesus tells us that no one can serve two masters, either we will serve our heavenly Master or we will serve another master (in this case the master of money). Either way we will serve and be mastered by something. What will it be? Money (and all other worldly things) cares nothing about its servant. It will take all that we have regardless of who it hurts or who's life it destroys. God is master the way a good father is master over his children. A good father expects obedience not for personal gain, but for the good of the child. In serving our Master in heaven, everything he expects from us is for our good. "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money." Which will you choose?

Father in heaven, help me to not be mastered by money or anything else. Help me to serve and follow hard after you, my Lord, my Master.
"The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak" Mt 26:41