Thugs and Thieves in High Places
Recently in the space of minutes I read first, numerous comments by Christians regarding our present political/cultural/social situation, and then second, Psalm 37:1-40. The contrast was so sharp, so diametrically opposite, so glaringly revealing that I knew as a pastor and brother in Jesus, I would need to call attention to it. I do so not to criticize sincerely concerned people, but to call to a better and more soul and God-pleasing way.
Daily comments from Christians about our cultural situation and political leaders express such anxiety, such anger, such fear, such hostility, such despair, such rage, such angst that I am much concerned that we as Christians are missing a grand opportunity to shine forth something very different to a watching world.
We are missing an opportunity to shine forth Psalm 37.
Over the next week or two I think it could transform us to meditate together step by step through this Psalm for the deepening joy and shining testimony of our lives.
I'd begin by calling attention to what this psalm makes obvious: there have always been thugs and thieves in high places. David uses multiple words to describe those of his day:
The psalmist calls his times "evil times" (Psalm 37:19) in which sufferings were many, and plotting and dangerous people (Psalm 37:7, 12, 14, 15) gnashed their teeth against the righteous, conniving and scheming to destroy. These were people who gathered in dark, secret, smoke-filled rooms to formulate evil devices and strike deals to foist their evil agendas on common ordinary run of the mill decent people, no matter what the cost in human life or suffering those agendas might entail.
Let me be clear right up front: I agree with my many Christian friends who believe that there are such thugs and thieves in high places today. The degree of political muggings and evil shenanigans currently going on is appalling. Evildoers are in high places (and by and large such evil-doing is bi-partisan, spilling over into Tea Partiers, libertarians and the whole lot of them). Everybody's got an agenda. Few have a truly godly one.
So what do we do? David's inspired counsel to the oppressed victims of thugs and thieves differs sharply from the common response of American Christians. We'll examine that response in coming days.
But first let me ask a question to help you examine your own response: "How is your present ('Christian') response to all these evildoers different from that of others in the world who share you basic political or economic point of view, but who are not Christians?"
Is your response different in any clear and obvious way from Rush Limbaugh (the blustering rant), Glenn Beck (the mad Mormon), Bill O-Reilly (the verbal 'Catholic' bully), Sean Hannity (the smirking wiseacre), or any of the other conservative, anti-Obama, anti-establishment, government-bashing voices that don't seem to have a God-centered breath in their lungs, or Christ-satisfied, Heaven-trusting bone in their body?
Would an observer be able to tell the difference between you and them? Think about it.
As you do this, you may choose to read Psalm 37 repeatedly. Such reading in faith will be like an oxygen machine. It'll fill your lungs with faith and joy, yes even when thugs and thieves seem to prevail.
Daily comments from Christians about our cultural situation and political leaders express such anxiety, such anger, such fear, such hostility, such despair, such rage, such angst that I am much concerned that we as Christians are missing a grand opportunity to shine forth something very different to a watching world.
We are missing an opportunity to shine forth Psalm 37.
Over the next week or two I think it could transform us to meditate together step by step through this Psalm for the deepening joy and shining testimony of our lives.
I'd begin by calling attention to what this psalm makes obvious: there have always been thugs and thieves in high places. David uses multiple words to describe those of his day:
-Evildoers (Psalm 37:1, 9)
-Wrongdoers (Psalm 37:1)
-The wicked (Psalm 37:12, 14, 16, 17, 20, 21, 32, 35, 38, 40)
-Enemies of the Lord (Psalm 37:20)
-Ruthless (Psalm 37:35)
-Transgressors (Psalm 37:38)
-Duplicitous thieves (Psalm 37:21a)
The psalmist calls his times "evil times" (Psalm 37:19) in which sufferings were many, and plotting and dangerous people (Psalm 37:7, 12, 14, 15) gnashed their teeth against the righteous, conniving and scheming to destroy. These were people who gathered in dark, secret, smoke-filled rooms to formulate evil devices and strike deals to foist their evil agendas on common ordinary run of the mill decent people, no matter what the cost in human life or suffering those agendas might entail.
Let me be clear right up front: I agree with my many Christian friends who believe that there are such thugs and thieves in high places today. The degree of political muggings and evil shenanigans currently going on is appalling. Evildoers are in high places (and by and large such evil-doing is bi-partisan, spilling over into Tea Partiers, libertarians and the whole lot of them). Everybody's got an agenda. Few have a truly godly one.
So what do we do? David's inspired counsel to the oppressed victims of thugs and thieves differs sharply from the common response of American Christians. We'll examine that response in coming days.
But first let me ask a question to help you examine your own response: "How is your present ('Christian') response to all these evildoers different from that of others in the world who share you basic political or economic point of view, but who are not Christians?"
Is your response different in any clear and obvious way from Rush Limbaugh (the blustering rant), Glenn Beck (the mad Mormon), Bill O-Reilly (the verbal 'Catholic' bully), Sean Hannity (the smirking wiseacre), or any of the other conservative, anti-Obama, anti-establishment, government-bashing voices that don't seem to have a God-centered breath in their lungs, or Christ-satisfied, Heaven-trusting bone in their body?
Would an observer be able to tell the difference between you and them? Think about it.
As you do this, you may choose to read Psalm 37 repeatedly. Such reading in faith will be like an oxygen machine. It'll fill your lungs with faith and joy, yes even when thugs and thieves seem to prevail.
Labels: Culture War, Faith, politics, Social Action, Trust
posted by Tim Shorey at
10:38 AM
6 Comments:
My first thought is to thank you for drawing my attention God-ward through this God centered Psalm.
My second thought is to take a deep breath and take a meditating look at that same Psalm.
My third thought is to pray.
Lord help me to focus on the One who is in control of all things. While evil and chaos seems to reign, help me not to lose sight of You. You are in control even of these things.
Lord I ask that we may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain (Philippians 2:15,16)
Ernie, your comment pretty much sums it all up for me. Thanks for always being "God-centered" for me and for the Body of Christ. Love you much dear, Tia
Tim, as you know, this is a "hot button" issue with me, as with so many other Christians. I largely agree that the TV personalities frequently distort the issues (both Left and Right) because they need ratings. The only one I watch (and seldom) is Glenn Beck, because he does his research, but he also is a "TV personality." While I fall firmly in the "libertarian" camp, because I believe it is (at its heart, though not necessarily reflected by its adherents) most closely aligned with Christian principles of justice and liberty, but I very much agree that we as Christians must bring grace to the arena. That is, pointing out the issues (I opposed much of what Mr Bush's administration stood far, as well as Mr Obama's)is not only within our rights, but shows good citizenship, however, the final message we bring is the grace of God in His sovereignty over all. Of course, our Lord did not espouse any governmental system, but the need to do justice and love one another as we would want others to love us (truth AND grace), and we need to remember that and bring that to every issue with which we deal. I admire the example of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who although we may not agree totally with his theology, took a firm stand against the Nazi regime, long before many other Christians realized the underlying issues.
These are indeed hot button issues. I do not advocate detachment, but I will be calling in these posts for something very different from the overly concerned, angry and vexed sound that is echoing out of many corners of the political/social landscape today.
O that we would all reflect Christ and Christian hope in our generation!
Tim, thank you for being a voice of godly reason. Thank you again for bringing the rule of faith to bear on the subject. I need to be reminded again and again, God is in control.
"O that we would all reflect Christ and Christian hope in our generation!"
I give my hearty Amen to your heart cry. And I add Lord may it be so.
I wish you could see my heart leaping for joy that you are saying something about this.
At least once a week I find I myself squelching a conversation bent on the negative as it relates to our current political climate.
I have thus far been unsuccesful at saying what you expressed in this blog.
The main response has been to deny and justify the anger and hostility toward our current president as our rights as citizens.
Like you, I agree with and understand the frustration of many.
And yet, there is something missing.
I say a hearty AMEN to the fact that WE are missing opportunities to shine forth the Gospel.
Thank you for being unafraid to challenge our thinking. Thank you Father for convicting our hearts and showing us the err in our ways.
"Let it be said of us that the Lord was our passion,
That with gladness we bore ev'ry cross we were given;
That we fought the good fight, that we finished the course,
Knowing within us the pow'r of the risen Lord.
Let it be said of us we were marked by forgiveness,
We were known by our love, and delighted in meekness.
We were ruled by His peace, heeding unity's call;
Joined as one body, that Christ would be seen by all.
Let the cross be our glory, and the Lord be our song,
By mercy made holy, by the Spirit made strong.
Let the cross be our glory, and the Lord be our song,
'Til the likeness of Jesus be through us made known;
Let the cross be our glory, and the Lord be our song.
sdpaul
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