Of Fires in California and Fires in Washington
I want to begin by giving you an update on the progress or lack thereof in forming a coalition government in Israel. As I shared with you previously, Prime Minister Netanyahu was unable to form such a government. President Rivlin then asked Benny Gantz, the leader of the Blue and White Party, to form a government. From reports I have read, he also is finding little success in creating partnerships that would bring his coalition numbers to the required 61 Knesset seats. He still has three weeks remaining on his mandate from President Rivlin. If he is unable to form a government, then in all likelihood President Rivlin will call for another nationwide election. One wonders how this impasse will be broken with new elections. Israeli politics are indeed very interesting. Stay tuned.
Meanwhile, in California wildfires continue to burn out of control. Properties have been destroyed. Lives have been uprooted. The major supplier of electricity has shut down delivery to thousands of homes for fear that any type of electrical discharge might create another firestorm. The Santa Ana winds hasten the advancements of the fires through the tinder-dry brush of the California hillsides. California is too dry, while other portions of our great nation are too wet. Rivers are swollen and flowing over their banks. Fields are so wet that it becomes impossible to get the harvests completed. It seems to be another season of excesses. Perhaps God is trying to get our attention. Allow me to suggest a very interesting study. Take your Bible and begin reading it, beginning in Genesis. On a sheet of paper make a notation of the many occurrences where God used weather phenomena to either awaken people to their sinful conditions or to bring judgment upon people because of their sinful conditions. I believe you will find this study to be incredibly insightful. Then ask yourself this question: Could God be using weather once again to either awaken us or to bring judgment upon us?
The rhetoric in Washington has become almost as damaging as those Santa Ana winds in California. And the frustration sets in with many of us. We elect men and women to represent us in Congress. Our intentions are that these men and women will work on our behalf to bring value to our everyday lives. Friends, there is certainly a vast array of issues that should be addressed and solutions sought. Included in that list are: border security, illegal immigration, homelessness, the drug crisis, and the ever-skyrocketing debt - just to name a few. These are issues the American people would like to have addressed and solved, or at least to begin to seek a solution. But what is happening? We have investigations, even to having investigations into the investigators. Meantime, the problems continue to escalate. Why can't our elected representatives actually do something constructive in Washington? I think we pay them well. After all, they said they wanted the job - they wanted to represent me! Yet, upon arrival in Washington, somehow the electorate is forgotten. The promises that formed a campaign are secreted away in a corner cabinet. Marching orders are now given by Party bosses, not the electorate back home.
But, friends, as I have studied the Scriptures these past nearly five decades, I find that government really has not changed all that much. The powerful always held the advantage over the less powerful. The affluent seemed to have a better hearing than those who were poor. Those with status had a "leg-up" over those who were just the common folks. Where was the righteousness? Where was the justice? Where were the declarations based upon fairness? Who would give a voice to the "little guy?" Will there ever be a government that will be stamped with equity for all?
The answer to that question is a resounding yes! No, it will not be found in Washington. No, it will not be found in London. No, it will not be found in Paris or Moscow or Cairo or Geneva. It will be found, someday - and I believe it will be soon - in Jerusalem. For there upon the throne that was established and given to David for eternity, One will reign that will have a perfect government. Listen to these prophetic words from Isaiah: "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this" (Isaiah 9:6-7).
The corruption and chaos in our government today is merely a reminder to us that something better is coming. Yes, the King is coming! Yes, the Savior is coming and He is bringing with Him justice and righteousness that will characterize His reign forever. What a day to look forward to!
Meanwhile, in California wildfires continue to burn out of control. Properties have been destroyed. Lives have been uprooted. The major supplier of electricity has shut down delivery to thousands of homes for fear that any type of electrical discharge might create another firestorm. The Santa Ana winds hasten the advancements of the fires through the tinder-dry brush of the California hillsides. California is too dry, while other portions of our great nation are too wet. Rivers are swollen and flowing over their banks. Fields are so wet that it becomes impossible to get the harvests completed. It seems to be another season of excesses. Perhaps God is trying to get our attention. Allow me to suggest a very interesting study. Take your Bible and begin reading it, beginning in Genesis. On a sheet of paper make a notation of the many occurrences where God used weather phenomena to either awaken people to their sinful conditions or to bring judgment upon people because of their sinful conditions. I believe you will find this study to be incredibly insightful. Then ask yourself this question: Could God be using weather once again to either awaken us or to bring judgment upon us?
The rhetoric in Washington has become almost as damaging as those Santa Ana winds in California. And the frustration sets in with many of us. We elect men and women to represent us in Congress. Our intentions are that these men and women will work on our behalf to bring value to our everyday lives. Friends, there is certainly a vast array of issues that should be addressed and solutions sought. Included in that list are: border security, illegal immigration, homelessness, the drug crisis, and the ever-skyrocketing debt - just to name a few. These are issues the American people would like to have addressed and solved, or at least to begin to seek a solution. But what is happening? We have investigations, even to having investigations into the investigators. Meantime, the problems continue to escalate. Why can't our elected representatives actually do something constructive in Washington? I think we pay them well. After all, they said they wanted the job - they wanted to represent me! Yet, upon arrival in Washington, somehow the electorate is forgotten. The promises that formed a campaign are secreted away in a corner cabinet. Marching orders are now given by Party bosses, not the electorate back home.
But, friends, as I have studied the Scriptures these past nearly five decades, I find that government really has not changed all that much. The powerful always held the advantage over the less powerful. The affluent seemed to have a better hearing than those who were poor. Those with status had a "leg-up" over those who were just the common folks. Where was the righteousness? Where was the justice? Where were the declarations based upon fairness? Who would give a voice to the "little guy?" Will there ever be a government that will be stamped with equity for all?
The answer to that question is a resounding yes! No, it will not be found in Washington. No, it will not be found in London. No, it will not be found in Paris or Moscow or Cairo or Geneva. It will be found, someday - and I believe it will be soon - in Jerusalem. For there upon the throne that was established and given to David for eternity, One will reign that will have a perfect government. Listen to these prophetic words from Isaiah: "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this" (Isaiah 9:6-7).
The corruption and chaos in our government today is merely a reminder to us that something better is coming. Yes, the King is coming! Yes, the Savior is coming and He is bringing with Him justice and righteousness that will characterize His reign forever. What a day to look forward to!
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