Rejoice? Yes, rejoice!
Categories: Spiritual
Tags: Easter;Christ;God;America;nation;Ford auto;Americans;Founding Fathers;mustang;
Rejoice, huh? What exactly should we as a nation be rejoicing about? What do I as an individual have to be rejoicing about? Let us all count the ways that we should not be rejoicing?
Just in the past week, Americans have been described as "arrogant," "derisive," and "dismissive." Now who is that person once again dumping on Americans? Isn't that yet another example of the usual "anti-American rhetoric?" Is the one whom some described as "vertically-challenged," the president of Iran, spouting his usual words of "wisdom?" Actually, no. That "dump" came from the newly-elected president of the US, so it does not qualify as "anti-American." In case there are any doubts in any minds as to how to qualify his remarks, the US Press will assure us that it is not. Could it be that I just stumbled upon two things for which we should rejoice? We have a duly-elected president and a free press? Yes, rejoice, I hope.
Why should we be rejoicing when there is the ongoing saga of that American ship captain being held by Somali pirates, while a US Navy ship is standing by, seemingly helpless, even when the captain tried to swim away from his captors? I feel confident that just as that captain made his daring bid for freedom, that left unfettered, our fighting men and women would "remedy" the hostage situation, by whatever means are necessary. Should the cynics see this as confirmation of a case of political correctness, part of the new "croissant and tea" diplomacy, part of the remaking of the American image overseas as a "non-Christian nation.....bound by ideals and values", and is it as long as they are not Judeo-Christian values? Has anyone gotten on the hotline to the afterworld to let the Founding Fathers, almost all of them Christian, know of this "reconfiguration?"
The Founding Fathers should not feel too bad that their legacy is systematically being corroded. They are in good company. The God Who led them to found this country, finds Himself being relegated to the "offensive" category. Mention His name in say, the workplace in some companies, and one could face punishment "worse" than death, the loss of a job! Try setting up a creche in some communities, and be prepared to face a chill colder than any in Antarctica.
Should we be rejoicing when the number of babies killed in the womb, through no "choice" of their own, could end up rivaling the billions of hamburgers served by that mega fast food chain? Should we be rejoicing when the family structure is under assault, and different configurations of "marriage" are being allowed? On a personal note, should I now file papers to marry my Mustang, the car? Our "marriage" has lasted longer than many of the human-human variety. That Mustang treats me almost like a husband by driving me around, and the only "treats" that I have to give in exchange, are a couple gallons of gas, and an infrequent tune up. This is one "union" of which Ford, the automaker, can be proud! Neither I, nor my "partner in this transaction," require retirement benefits, health care or stocks.
So, does the "once mighty" US have much about which to rejoice, in a era when its president is on camera appearing to bow down to a Middle Eastern potentate, its currency is bearing a strong resemblance to monopoly money, without the "monopoly" part of the equation, its electric grids appear to have been compromised by cyber attacks, many of its citizenry are shedding jobs faster than one can say government bailout, and every two-bit dictator out there is making menacing noises, including the noise from a rocket launched into space? The short answer is: "Yes!" Unequivocally Yes!
Just one more question, before the affirmations come pouring out......What is there to rejoice about?
There is but One Answer. We, including yours truly, can all rejoice because of Him, Whom I call My Ultimate Flak Jacket! Who is this person I am making sound mightier than all of the military forces of the world combined, more than all of the wannabe kings and queens of this mortal realm, Who can actually have a good chuckle at all of the pretenders to His throne?
Yep, you guessed right the first time. It is God Almighty Who sent His Son to save our sorry souls from eternal damnation! His Son, Whose victory over death and the tomb, we Christians joyfully, gratefully, exultantly celebrate! It is Easter and we will rejoice! In this sometimes pathetic world, we are certain to have tribulation, but Jesus has overcome the world!
I will step aside now and let bona fide scholars share why we should rejoice! I extend a special invitation to the pretenders to His throne, to take a very careful reading of this first Psalm.
Psalm 2
1Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
2The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,
3Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.
4He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the LORD shall have them in derision.
5Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.
6Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
7I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
8Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
9Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
10Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.
11Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
12Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.
Note to pretenders: He really does walk on water, and the ocean will recede for Him and Him only.
Deuteronomy 12:7
7And there ye shall eat before the LORD your God, and ye shall rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto, ye and your households, wherein the LORD thy God hath blessed thee.
1 Chronicles 16:31-32
31Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations, The LORD reigneth.
32Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof: let the fields rejoice, and all that is therein.
Psalm 14:7
7Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! when the LORD bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.
I have a confession to make. No, not that one about calling the driver who cut me off an "idiot".... I will get back to that, ten years from now!
My confession is that I began this post, feeling somewhat dispirited about the state of the country, not so much the economic news, although that is bad enough, but more so the social and cultural drift into an amoral abyss. I have this little quirk that I am not yet ready to be a good little socialist, or lose my religion because it is not fashionable to stand up for God. So, I was feeling out of place, much as perhaps one of the Founding Fathers would feel, if he saw this new, (un)improved version of his America.
But, I am now rejoicing, because just writing this post, reaffirmed for me that no matter the slings and arrows thrown against the people of this country, only God alone has the power to allow this country to fall or fail. Those who seek to replace Him, are really powerless, in the face of Real Power! I will continue to savor the many blessings that He has bestowed upon me personally, and upon America, "land that I love!" Rejoice!
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