What a World! What a World!

Rob Kaczmarek
Written By Jeff Rybacki
 

What a World! What a World!

Wizard of Oz

“Grace to you and peace from the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.”
— Galatians 1:3-5

As many of us go out today to vote, I hope these short verses will give all of us some comfort. Paul writes these opening lines in the letter to the Galatian church to focus their sight on Jesus above all that is happening in their situation.

These opening lines are very appropriate for us today as well. We have seen no end to the name calling and the vitriol aimed at those on opposite political sides. We read every day, it seems, that another city has circled the drain once again and has devolved into unrest and rioting. The news is constantly scathing and angering. And in our community it seems like we watch waves of kids yo-yo back and forth between being able to go to school or having to be quarantined due to Covid. That in itself has been stressful!

Honestly, we don’t have to look too hard to see that we indeed live in a sin fallen world and many people are still held under the sway of sin. Paul says in the verses above that Christ came to save us from sin and from this present evil age! The work of God, which is purely grace lavished out on us, should bring us peace. 

It should bring us peace because we recognize that God was and is and always will be on his throne. No election will change his purposes. They are fixed and sure. One of those sure things is that all who receive Christ, receive the peace of Christ. We don’t have to focus on the world and worry. For those who belong to the family of God, this broken world is the worst we will ever have to experience and there is a great rescue coming. A rescue that places us into his kingdom with him forever!

If this election has you worried, ask yourself if it’s because you think Jesus can’t handle all that is happening? Are you worried that if the wrong guy gets into office God will not continue to care for his people? Are you concerned that if there is a fundamental change in American culture your kids will not have sufficient grace and peace to handle it? 

Our worries often betray us. They expose just how much peace we are lacking and the grace we failed to receive from God. All the grace and peace you need is available, in fact its available in ample supply! God’s grace and peace are inexhaustible because he is inexhaustible! When we worry we forget that he has rescued us and he will continually rescue us. Our worry says we are not fully trusting in all God has done.

What to do? Well first, recenter your thoughts and heart on all that Christ has done for you! Enter into a time of remembrance. What were you before Jesus found you and changed you? What sin was controlling your life that he broke the back of? What hope did you have before he gave you the hope that only comes from him and through him? Remembering all Christ has done should move you to worship!

Worship is powerful. Worship starts connecting our heart with Gods heart. We start having our eyes refocused on him and his goodness. We become excited in the promises God has given to us as we remember them in worship. Worship places us in a posture of thanks giving and humility. We become thankful and joyful. With thanksgiving comes peace and a renewed flood of grace.

We can then look at the day and the circumstances and declare, “you don’t stand a chance! God is for me, so there is nothing you can do to shake me. and I will declare that today, tomorrow, and forever.” 

So, go vote if you are able to do so today knowing that God has grace and peace to sustain you. And as you look at this evil age, start to live in a way to brings about the kingdom of God where ever you may go!

A great hymn for this week to sing, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.  Here are the lyrics:

A mighty fortress is our God,
a bulwark never failing;
our helper He amid the flood
of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
doth seek to work us woe;
his craft and power are great,
and armed with cruel hate,
on earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide,
our striving would be losing,
were not the Right Man on our side,
the Man of God's own choosing.
Dost ask who That may be?
Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth, His name,
from age to age the same,
and He must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled,
should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God hath willed
His truth to triumph through us.
The Prince of Darkness grim,
we tremble not for him;
his rage we can endure,
for lo, his doom is sure;
one little word shall fell him.

That Word above all earthly powers,
no thanks to them, abideth;
the Spirit and the gifts are ours,
thru Him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go,
this mortal life also;
the body they may kill;
God's truth abideth still;
His kingdom is forever

 
Jeff Rybacki
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