TAKING ACTION IN TROUBLED TIMES
Grace Church
6400 W 20th St, Greeley, CO 80634
Dear Grace Church,
As I interacted earlier today with one of our church members about Christian nationalism, I commented on the “uncertain and tumultuous times” in which we live. Many are feeling the tension of the times, ill at ease, anxious and insecure.
Some are stoking people’s fears into action, as evidenced by today’s assassination attempt on former
President Trump. An assassin fired several shots at President Trump while he spoke at a podium in
Pennsylvania—grazing the former president, killing one spectator, and critically injuring two others. We can thank God for sparing the life of President Trump, as we ask God to have mercy on those who are injured and bring the comfort of Jesus Christ to the families of those who have died, including the evil assassin.
Another line has been crossed, revealing the deep divisions in our country, the loss of peace, and the
willingness of some to engage in political violence. But beloved Christian, our duty is to stay bound by the belt of truth. For even if the earth should tremble and the mountains be cast into the depths of the sea, nothing of the greatest significance has changed: God remains enthroned on high, the Lord Jesus Christ at His right hand, flanked by legions of holy angels. Therefore, we will not fear.
We will, however, be zealous for righteousness (Ps. 69:9), abhorring evil and clinging to what is good (Rom. 12:9). We will be indignant, and righteously so (Eph. 4:26), over the wickedly audacious who would dare to harm God-appointed public servants (Rom. 13:1-2). We will not be apathetic or remain aloof or indifferent; we will let righteous indignation fuel our prayers:
First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony borne at the proper time. 7 And for this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying) as a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. 8 Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension (1 Tim. 2:1-8).
Please call to mind the messages I preached recently on the full armor of God and combat prayer. (Listen to them again, if you need to refresh your memory.) Then put on the full armor of God and commit yourself to prayer. Men, lead your families in getting dressed in the full armor of God and praying. Remember, we do not wrestle against flesh and blood. We are at war with a wily enemy, one who has already suffered the ultimate defeat because of the cross of Christ. We are called to fight the good fight of the faith, preaching the gospel of God to our families and friends, neighbors and strangers. We are here for such a time as this.
Come dressed in the full armor of God Sunday, praying in the Spirit, armed for spiritual warfare, and confident in our sovereign Lord Jesus Christ who calls us to assemble on the Lord’s Day for worship, prayer, and equipping (Eph. 4:12-16).
Your fellow soldier in Christ,
Travis