Thoughts in Worship
Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Tuesday, June 19, 2018
Audio Link: https://www.spreaker.com/user/reachmanyradio/thoughts-in-worship-06-19-2018
This is devotional thought number 64 in our devotional series titled, “The Gospel According to Paul.”
“I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For, There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time. And I have been chosen as a preacher and apostle to teach the Gentiles this message about faith and truth. I’m not exaggerating—just telling the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:1–7, NLT).
As the Lord would have it, we are surveying the writings of Paul, and today’s Scripture focus comes up on the radar during a historic time in recent history. Despite the volatile rhetoric spewed in the news among nations, and speculation among political friends and foes, a landmark summit was held in Singapore last week, where the Supreme Leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-un and the President of the United States of America, Donald J. Trump met to build goodwill and sign a Joint Statement to denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula; among other epic promises. Regardless of our views of the nuances, and prognosticating on persons’ intentions, we must be clear here - this move was monumental! I cannot tell you how thankful I am for this, considering the nearness of the return of Christ.
Notice what our theme text says: Pray for all people! Pray for all in authority. What reason did Paul give for us praying for those in authority? He said so we could live peaceful and quiet lives. Do you think movements toward denuclearizing anywhere on earth is a prospect for peaceful living? Again, we are not forecasting into the future except based upon what the two nations have promised, along with other concerned parties. Paul also said praying for this kind of peacefulness makes way for living in godliness and dignity. Think about what this historic move could mean? Is it possible that momentum could be gained toward more persons in that region experiencing the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ? I think so. Time will tell, but I believe this kind of bold move, at this time, will also create opportunities for people, who have otherwise been sequestered from the message of Christ, to hear of Him. Again, time will tell. History is on our side here. Pray toward that end.
Let’s tie a bow on this. Paul paints a portrait of Christ as the Chief Diplomat of the universe. Answers to our prayers and prayers for those in authority are made possible by the ministry of Jesus Christ, the only Mediator between God and humanity. And as Paul said, I concur for our time, “This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time... I’m not exaggerating—just telling the truth.”
Will you put all suspicion aside, despite the reality that talks can break down, agreements can be broken, and people can change their minds, and PRAY? Pray for our world leaders, and not just the ones I mentioned here because our time on Earth is short. The gospel of Jesus Christ must be preached into all the world before He returns. What better way for the message to penetrate the four corners of the Earth, than in peace, godliness, and dignity?
I’m not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, are you?—L. David Harris (www.LDavidHarris.com)