The Watchman's Diary

The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day. Sever yourselves from such a man, whose breath is in his nostrils; for of what account is he? (Isaiah 2:11,22).

The snow storm that swept through states up the east coast over the weekend dumped record breaking snow, caused flooding, and confused meteorologists who expected much less than what actually fell in some areas. Appropriately named Jonas, the storm sent a strong message as it shut down cities and states. Jonas is translated “Jonah” in the English language and its significance may have been lost on most. As the Nation’s Capitol was being buried under heavy snow, many remain blind to the fact that, like Jonah, this country/world is heading in the wrong direction spiritually. People are swiftly running away from God and turning to others or to themselves for answers. We are slowly sinking to the depths of rational thinking and moral guidance all based on a Webster’s style definition of rationality and morality.

Nations are forming alliances to respond to threats and environmental concerns. Others are forming alliances to strengthen the threat they pose to their enemies. In some cases, unholy alliances have been and continue to be formed. In all this, they look to democracy, military might, politics, and strong personalities to lead the world to safety and to fix economic crises.

Yet, where is the church in all this? Oh yes, we are either too busy fighting each other or taking political sides with those who neither acknowledge nor turn to God for guidance.  The church is looking more and more like the world and for some reason many church leaders can’t figure out why church attendance and membership is going down. The world is looking in to see a church very much unlike themselves but insist on telling them how to live their lives. If it wasn’t for Jesus’ promise that “He will build His church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it” I would be losing my confidence in its existence for years to come. Still, this should be alarming to many of us because the true church may only be a remnant of those who show up to worship. Are you part of that remnant?

What do we get when we vote according to our emotions, which are often driven by what we hear and not necessarily the facts. Unfortunately, we live in a world where knowledge is pushed and not sought and those who scream the loudest and throw the most money get their way. It would be wise for us to learn the lesson of ancient Israel when they requested to have a king reign over them. God’s response to Samuel is to give them their king, for they were not rejecting Samuel but “they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them” (1 Samuel 8:7). We too have been putting our faith in men, only to be disappointed. When will the church begin to heed Paul’s warning? “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? (2 Corinthians 6:14-16). Or that we should “not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of yourmind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2). 

We are to be in the world but not of the world yet the church has largely failed in this. Why do we continue to look to politicians and military leaders as the solution to our most pressing problems? Why do we put our hopes in science and not the Creator who reveals to us the information regarding that which He has created? I dare say because the apostasy of this age is great and becoming greater still. We are entering a period of great change and the church has and will lend itself to it. Political alliance has become more important that the spiritual and many churches have fallen pray to the biases of the flesh and the promises of flattering lips. Are you part of the true church and a remnant of the faithful? Stand up and glorify God without shame! Are you offended by this post? examine yourself!

“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up” (James 4:10).