Bless the Lord, O my soul,   
And all that is within me,   
bless His holy name.   
Bless the Lord, O my soul,   
And forget none of His benefits.   
- Psalms 103:1-2   
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Give Us A King

           Never before have we seen such division within our country.  Division has always existed but now, as we further relax the civil expectations of ourselves, those who disagree believe that disagreement is acceptably expressed with violence and damage to life and property of others.  They site the unfairness and hateful attitudes of the other side to justify their own unfair and criminal actions.  It's the way we voice our displeasure that has changed in our society as a whole.  We see the double standard applied once again.  This standard eventually echos through out everything man oversees.  Righteousness will never be found within man or his policies.  Righteousness and a cure of how to handle disagreement only comes from one place and that is our God's word.  So, seeking to find what they want, some Americans cry out for a different leader thinking this will advance our country as the rest of the world around us has advanced (in their opinion).

            This is the same sentiment expressed by the Israelites when they desired change and to have what men in the world around them had; a king.  “Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.”(1 Samuel 8:5)  They too sought a fix or mechanism to cure their problems and get what they wanted in order to be like the world around them through the leadership of their nation instead of seeking it from God.  They made that mistake of rejecting God's given leadership and wanting to be like those around them.  And the Lord said to Samuel, “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them. (1 Samuel 8:7)  Do we see the leaving of God's way in the religious world around us as denominations compete for numbers?

            We see both; this same attitude of tearing up what we don't agree with, and the demanding a new leader, that exists in the religious world around us.  Partially due to this attitude of entitlement to have everything the way we want it.  Whether it is God's worship service, Christ's church structure, acts of salvation or anything put in place by God.  Man seeks to change the things he doesn't like and seeks a place or leader that will accommodate his desires.  And of course, this brings its own problems and produces diversity in the religious world as everyone seeks to find what he wants in the name of religion.

            The cure for the religious world and our nation is not going to be found in government, courts, civil leaders or a king.  Our cure has to take place at the individual level.  Man seeks what he wants in the wrong place.  God is not a god that changes in order to please man, but instead man must change to please God.  Our Lord is the same today and forever, “For I am the Lord, I do not change; (Malachi 3:6)  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.(Hebrews 13:8)  God's word can change a self-serving heart of destruction into a loving heart that puts others first and is concerned with salvation and not destruction.

            Man will not bring salvation or healing to himself or his country.  However, we must elect the best leaders we can in order to keep our country as close to Godly as we can.  Only God's word can make man or a country Godly.  Pray for our country and the church that must exist within it.  Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, ...(1 Tim. 2:1-4). 

We don't know what the future holds for our country but determine today who thou will serve.  "...But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”(Joshua 24:15).  "...Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”(Joshua 1:9).  We knew from the beginning, our numbers will be few and the majority will not find truth because of their rejection but the church or the few that do find their way must be faithful to God and not themselves.  “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. (Matt. 7:13).

 - Marc Hopkins



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