We are praying for the lost, the desperate, even the rich and powerful desperate ones whose lives touch upon ours, whether close at hand or in seats of power. Let’s choose someone today whose life demonstrates this boastfulness, this spurning of the majesty of God, and pray for all we’re worth, and while we do, let’s remember one another, that our own residual arrogances would melt into gratitude and humble trust in the God who saves.
It strikes me how wonderful it is that, if one considered top Republican leaders to be the boastful, scheming ones, prayer would be the best antidote. If one considered top Democratic or Socialist leaders to be the boastful, scheming ones, prayer would be the best solution.
Brilliant. Simple, too. What’s more, we would not have to be torn asunder as a nation and in our families. Psalm 10:1-6 …
Why, Lord, do you stand far off?
Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? FATHER, WE KNOW YOU ARE NEAR, WE KNOW YOU NEVER LEAVE US OR FORSAKE US, BUT IT’S SO HARD TO SEE SO MANY CARRYING OUT SUCH WICKED WORKS, KNOWING THAT YOU HAVE THE POWER TO UNDO THEM AND THEIR TERRORS.
2 In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak,
who are caught in the schemes he devises. THEY ENSLAVE THE WEAK WITH FALSE PROMISES AND LIES ABOUT YOUR NATURE, LORD, AND WE KNOW YOU SEE IT.
3 He boasts about the cravings of his heart;
he blesses the greedy and reviles the Lord.
4 In his pride the wicked man does not seek him;
in all his thoughts there is no room for God. THERE ARE THOSE, TOO, WHO CLAIM TO KNOW YOU, CLAIM TO HAVE RESPECT FOR YOUR WAYS AND YOUR TRUTH, BUT YOU KNOW THE TRUTH, LORD. WE WANT THAT TRUTH, WHEREVER IT TAKES US.
5 His ways are always prosperous;
your laws are rejected by him;
he sneers at all his enemies.
6 He says to himself, “Nothing will ever shake me.”
He swears, “No one will ever do me harm.” EVEN FOR THE WORST OF THE WORST, WHOEVER THEY MAY BE IN YOUR SIGHT, THE HYPOCRITAL AND DECEITFUL, THE LIARS, AND THOSE WHO SEEK TO DESTROY, WE DO NOT WISH TO SEE THEM HUMILIATED BEFORE YOU. MAY GRACE COME TO US IN THIS HOUR, THAT WICKEDNESS WILL BE CAST OFF, THAT LIARS WILL BECOME TRUE, THAT DECEPTIONS WILL BE UNCOVERED, AND THAT YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS WILL BE THE ONLY RIGHTEOUSNESS WE OWN, IN OUR NATION, IN OUR FAMILIES, AND IN OUR TIME.
Matt Wade photo, U.S. Capitol Rotunda, from behind statue of George Washington
Matt Wade, by permission, Wikipedia, http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/