I suppose that most blog updates will deal with the US presidential election for some time to come, whether they originate inside our outside our borders. If that's what you're looking for here, you might want to go elsewhere.
The glimpse the Lord has shown me recently is on a much larger scale. There's an insidious illness creeping across the globe. The commonality of symptoms and coordination of efforts combine to expose the unity of purpose. The threat shouldn't surprise those of us who know Scripture. The book of Revelation talks about the nations of the world being drawn together under one world government.
I trust that all Americans are well aware of the attacks being perpetrated on the family. State after state is moving, some rushing, to recognize homosexual relationships as some sort of sanctioned union. (Congratulations Arizona for holding the line.) Parental authority is questioned by social mores as well as in our institutions and courts. I could go on, but in the interest of space and time will stop there.
These same destructive inroads are present and developing in other countries. The family has been under severe attack in Germany by homosexual activists for some time. The police have begun placing children in mental institutions when parents refuse to subject them to the sexually explicit, lock step public school system. It would be naive to think that these activities are independent "infection" sites or just a general, natural downward spiral. Rather, they are evidence of the infiltrating nature of the life-threatening illness.
"German Federal Minister of Justice Brigitte Zypries campaigned recently in California to urge voters to follow the lead of Germany and the rest of Europe in promoting 'same sex marriage' by defeating Proposition 8." This initiative was a response to the California Supreme Court's decision to strike down a 2000 vote by a majority of Californians to define marriage as being between a man and a woman. (Congratulations California on its passage.) You can read the full article concerning this connection at http://www.c-fam.org/publications/id.862/pub_detail.asp.
I would suggest that the original bacteria is sin - rebellion against God, the Maker, Sustainer, and Sovereign of heaven and earth. Sin caused Lucifer to be cast out of heaven and entered the human race in Eden. Sin is represented and championed by Satan, God's enemy. John 10:10 tells us that his goal is to "steal and kill and destroy". There's a monolithic feel to the world-wide conflagration because it has one source and one purpose.
The attack on marriage and family is obvious. Let's remember a related target. Leviticus 18 and 20 may provide the most graphic depiction. These two chapters are where the worship of false gods is horrifically pictured by parents sacrificing their children to the fires of Molech. Satan's goal is to have all mankind defy God in our hearts and minds and actions. The destruction of marriage and family puts the next generation at serious risk.
Paul describes the process this way in 1 Peter 5:8b, "Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." He also explains our response to the perpetual attack in surrounding verses. "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." (6,7) "Be self-controlled and alert." (8a) "Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of suffering." (9)
We need not be overwhelmed or depressed. Christ has already gained the victory. Our rescue has been accomplished. We need not panic or run helter-skelter. The task at hand is the same today as it is every day, "When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people. If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:13,14
Whether we feel overcome by the sin in our own hearts or homes, in our church or community, in our country or the nations of the world, God's promises are sure. We must each come to Him with a repentant heart, seeking the cleansing work of the Holy Spirit, and trusting in the saving work of Christ's blood. When we do, 1 John 1:9 assures us that, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins, and purify us from all unrighteousness.
It's time for God's people to pursue the consecration of our lives in the moment by moment experience of it. The process is not a heavy burden but a reviving discipline and joyous adventure. We discover the expected comfort promised to those blessed ones in Matthew 5:4 who mourn their sin. We look forward to the peace and rejoicing of eternity in heaven. God is good!
I pray that this glimpse will cause you, as it has me, to commit yourself more fully to personal holiness while we rest in the sovereign providence of our heavenly Father.
