Christ said: “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.”  Just how much of our resources belong to the government?  This is creating a tremendous division among the American people.   Many see the Democrat’s ObamaCare as another entitlement that we cannot afford and it will hurt the middleclass.   Is the Democrat health care plan another step to socialism or really meant to care for people?  How much control do you want the government to have over our lives?

Many fear for America’s future.  There is no effort to provide leadership.  In the past the president and congressional leaders would be in meetings to work out a solution that would be somewhat satisfactory to each side.  This is the most divisive administration and congress in my lifetime.  It is not about what’s best for the American people; it is about what is best politically.  Do Americans want a free market economy or socialism? 

We work with many who invest in the stock market.  Many are very apprehensive about the market, the economy and America’s future.  The gridlock between political parties and the uncertainty coming from Washington does not foster confidence.  What are Christians to do?

We must continually trust that God is in control.  It appears God has allowed the devil to do his deceiving and possibly Americans are getting what we deserve.  President Obama has said: we are no longer a Christian nation; this could be true.  We are not, as a nation, putting God first and we certainly are not, in general, living by his commandments or being obedient to His ways.  We lack a commitment to worshipping God.

Christians: we must not live as the world lives.  Fear comes from ignoring the Word of God and the Holy Spirit.  We must not be people too busy living in a fast-paced world with too little time and attention given to spiritual things.  The Bible tells us to be confident and I am seeing too many living fearful lives.

To overcome fear one must have confidence, feel worthy enough to be accepted by others and believe in our ability to be capable of overcoming whatever is challenging us.  Most individuals do not meet those criteria.  There are all kinds of reasons we lack confidence, feeling unworthy or believe we are incapable of mastering most difficult situations. However, we as Christians are not alone.  Scripture tells us in Isaiah that God has chosen the descendants of Abraham, which Christians are, that He will do the following:

Isaiah 41:10 – “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.  Isaiah 41:13 – “For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”

He says He is our God and will have a personal relationship with us.  He tells us that He is capable of giving us power to deal with every situation in life.  He does not imply that we will win every time.  Yet, we can deal with anything while being calm and with peace.  It is only when we focus on the problem that we become distraught, when we should be focusing on how God is going to help us get to the solution.  While dealing with whatever is confronting us, are we asking for that power that God promises to give us?  Isn’t the usual circumstance we face, I will deal with everything by myself?   This is the mistake many of us make.

Next – think of every fear you may have.  Do you know what caused it?  Do you know how to eliminate it from being a fear?  Have you accepted that you are a member of God’s family and that He wants to help you?  (You must feel accepted.)  Do you have the confidence that anything can be handled with God’s power?  (I accept God’s promise that He will give me strength and help me.)  Finally you must believe that no matter what happens God knew it was going to happen and He did not intervene to stop it.  Therefore, it must be a learning experience.

When the Holy Spirit fills our hearts and guides our lives, we have no room or need for fear. “For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship.”  (Romans – 8:15)

Joshua 1:7 – 9 – “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.  Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.  Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

I believe this is what God would say to any Christian who has a personal relationship with Him.  We must live to please God.  This is not easy in a world that lives for instant gratification.  God tells us about being careful to not be in debt.  Yet, we load up our credit cards and live from paycheck to paycheck; fearful that we may fail financially.  God loves us and wants what is best.  When Christ said fear not, why do we?  Is it because we are not following what the Bible tells us to do?  God tells His people that He is our personal God; He will give us strength and be with us every minute of the day.  We must believe this and act accordingly.

Regardless what is happening in Washington: Christians, we answer to God.  Always remember: God is in control and He allows what happens.  Until our nation repents and places God first; expect chaotic conditions and times coming out of Washington.