Embracing Peace Amidst Violence and Political Turmoil

Devotional

Day 1: God's Sovereignty Over Earthly Violence

Violence has been a constant throughout human history, from biblical times to the Roman Empire and beyond. Despite its prevalence, believers are reminded that God's sovereignty transcends all earthly power. The attempted assassination of a political figure serves as a stark reminder of the chaos and fear that violence can instill. Yet, in the midst of such turmoil, there is a higher power at work. God's authority remains unshakable, and His divine plan is beyond human understanding. This truth calls us to place our trust in Him, knowing that His purposes will ultimately prevail. [02:29]

Isaiah 46:9-10 (ESV): "Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.'"

Reflection: In what ways can you actively remind yourself of God's sovereignty when faced with news of violence or political instability?

Day 2: Trusting in Divine Authority

The story of King Uzziah's death and Isaiah's vision of God on the throne serves as a powerful reminder of divine authority during times of political instability. When earthly power seems to falter, God's authority remains steadfast. Isaiah's response to God's call, "Here am I. Send me," exemplifies the trust and obedience we are called to exhibit. In moments of uncertainty, believers are encouraged to trust in God's ultimate plan and to respond to His call with faith and readiness. [05:01]

Psalm 93:1-2 (ESV): "The Lord reigns; he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed; he has put on strength as his belt. Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved. Your throne is established from of old; you are from everlasting."

Reflection: How can you cultivate a heart that is ready to respond to God's call, even when circumstances seem unstable or uncertain?

Day 3: Rejecting Violence in Spirit and Action

In times of national crisis, it is easy to become paralyzed by fear and anxiety. However, believers are called to reject violence not only in action but also in spirit. Jesus taught that harboring anger and contempt is akin to violence, urging us to lower the temperature of political discourse. By doing so, we uphold the hallmarks of a healthy democracy and cherish the peaceful transfer of power. This call challenges us to examine our hearts and attitudes, ensuring that we are agents of peace in a world often marked by division. [07:42]

Ephesians 4:31-32 (ESV): "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."

Reflection: Identify a recent situation where you felt anger or contempt. How can you actively choose peace and forgiveness in response to that situation today?

Day 4: Bringing the Light of Heaven into Darkness

As citizens of both earthly and heavenly kingdoms, believers are tasked with bringing the light of heaven into the darkness of this world. This light, which could not be extinguished on the cross, cannot be put out by violence or hatred. In a world that desperately needs love and righteousness, we are called to be agents of peace, spreading the light of Christ wherever we go. This mission challenges us to live out our faith in tangible ways, reflecting the love and grace of God to those around us. [09:17]

Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV): "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

Reflection: What is one specific way you can bring the light of Christ into a dark situation or relationship in your life this week?

Day 5: Praying for Peace and Unity

In a world often marked by division and strife, believers are called to pray for peace and unity. As ambassadors of peace, we seek God's guidance and strength to live out this calling. Gathering under the banner of the Prince of Peace, we are united as children of one God, to whom be dominion and glory forever. This call to prayer challenges us to intercede for our nation and the world, trusting in God's power to bring about reconciliation and healing. [10:00]

1 Timothy 2:1-2 (ESV): "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way."

Reflection: Set aside time today to pray specifically for peace and unity in your community, nation, and the world. How can you be an active participant in fostering peace where you are?

Sermon Summary

In the wake of the attempted assassination of former President Trump, it's crucial to reflect on the pervasive nature of violence throughout history and its impact on our lives today. Violence is not a new phenomenon; it has been a part of human history for centuries, as evidenced by the numerous accounts of political assassinations in the Bible and the Roman Empire. Despite the chaos and fear that violence can instill, we must remember that there is a higher power at work, one that transcends earthly politics and rulers.

The story of King Uzziah in the Bible serves as a reminder that even when earthly power seems to falter, God remains sovereign. Isaiah's vision of the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, illustrates that divine authority is unshakable, even in times of political instability. This vision calls us to trust in God's ultimate plan and to respond to His call, just as Isaiah did, by saying, "Here am I. Send me."

In moments of national crisis, it's easy to become paralyzed by fear and anxiety. However, we are called to reject violence, not only in action but also in spirit. Jesus taught that harboring anger and contempt is akin to violence, and we must strive to lower the temperature of political discourse. By doing so, we uphold the hallmarks of a healthy democracy, cherishing the peaceful transfer of power that many throughout history have not experienced.

As citizens of both the earthly and heavenly kingdoms, we are tasked with bringing the light of heaven into the darkness of this world. This light, which could not be extinguished on the cross, cannot be put out by violence or hatred. We are called to be agents of peace, spreading love and righteousness in a world that desperately needs it.

Let us pray for our nation and the world, seeking God's guidance and strength to live as His ambassadors of peace. May we be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace, united as children of one God, to whom be dominion and glory forever.

Key Takeaways

1. Violence is a recurring theme throughout history, as seen in biblical accounts and the Roman Empire. Despite its prevalence, we must remember that God remains sovereign, and His authority transcends earthly power. [02:29]
2. Isaiah's vision of God on the throne during King Uzziah's death reminds us that divine authority is unshakable, even in times of political instability. We are called to trust in God's ultimate plan and respond to His call. [05:01]
3. In times of national crisis, we must reject violence in both action and spirit. Jesus taught that harboring anger and contempt is akin to violence, and we must strive to lower the temperature of political discourse. [07:42]
4. As citizens of both earthly and heavenly kingdoms, we are tasked with bringing the light of heaven into the darkness of this world. This light, which could not be extinguished on the cross, cannot be put out by violence or hatred. [09:17]
5. Let us pray for our nation and the world, seeking God's guidance and strength to live as His ambassadors of peace. May we be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace, united as children of one God. [10:00]
** [10:00]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:12] - Reflecting on Recent Events
[00:28] - Prayers for the Nation
[00:42] - The Reality of Violence
[00:58] - Biblical Accounts of Assassination
[01:14] - Old Testament Reflections
[02:29] - Historical Context of Violence
[03:42] - The Prophets' New Message
[04:00] - Isaiah's Vision of God
[05:01] - Trusting in Divine Authority
[06:02] - Responding to Violence
[07:27] - Jesus' Teachings on Anger
[08:30] - Upholding Democracy
[09:17] - Bringing Light into Darkness
[10:00] - A Prayer for Peace

Sermon Clips

I wanted to take these moments together with you on this Monday after this last weekend after the attempted assassination of former president Trump to reflect on these moments together. We've been talking about how we all have a story and Nations also have stories and we want to be praying for our nation and for our world. I am praying for Mr. Trump and for his family and thankful that his life was spared. [00:00:00]

Violence is such a horrible thing. It is not a new thing, and it's worth reflecting on the gift that we have that power is ordinarily transferred in a peaceful way in our country. I was just going through in the Old Testament as we think about the horror of the assassination of the leader. This is just from a couple of pages in The Book of Second Kings. [00:00:52]

This is the world in which people lived in Bible times, and then they conspired against Amziah, who is the king in Jerusalem, and he fled to Laes, but they sent men after him, and they killed him there. That's first 2 Kings 14:19. And then in chapter 15:10, Shalom son of Jabesh conspired against Zechariah. [00:01:20]

Isaiah had been a very formidable King, a great king, although part of what he did was to take on too much. The scripture says in his pride as a leader, he tried to act as priest as well as king, ended up with a kind of exclusion based on leprosy. And when he died, of course, in the ancient world, that meant everybody was trembling. [00:04:00]

I saw the Lord high and exalted, Seated on a throne, and the train of his robe filled the temple. That's a picture of an expression of his greatness in the year that King Uzziah died, and it looked like the power that we all depend on, the power that we all recognize, the power that we think is real in the world. [00:04:33]

In moments like this, sometimes it's possible to become paralyzed, to live with a sense of anxiety. Violence is such a horrible thing, and to have it happen in a moment like this when our nation is already so divided and so polarized and so uncertain, and we can and should be deeply, deeply, deeply concerned about this but not paralyzed. [00:05:38]

There is somebody who's sitting on a throne, and it is a different Throne. There is someone who is seated behind a Resolute desk, and it is a different desk, and that one is still at work. Politics, although they are very consequential and political leaders are very important, are not actually the ones who will rule this world. [00:05:59]

The Prince of Peace came, and he was assassinated, and he was executed by the state, and he took it on himself willingly because he knew that the only way that sin and guilt and darkness could be overcome was through sacrificial love and suffering compassion. And that is what he did, and that's what he calls you and I to. [00:06:23]

You don't give up hope. This is not superficial. This doesn't mean that things will end up well. It means we've got a calling. God is still saying, "Whom shall I send?" He still sits on the throne. That train still fills the temple. The place where God is present is full of his power and his love and His glory, and that can be in your life. [00:06:49]

We must repudiate violence, and again, it's not just the act of violence that's the problem. Of course, Jesus so often taught about this, and we learn about this as we look at our stories. It's the spirit of violence, and that's in me. You have heard that it was said, "You shall not murder," but I say to you, anybody who is angry or who indulges or Harbors anger. [00:07:17]

We are called to repudiate violence, not just how terrible those people out there that do these awful acts, but it's me. Woe is me, for I am a man of unclean lips and unclean hands and unclean heart. Repudiate violence, lower the temperature of political debate. Political debate is a very, very important thing. [00:07:51]

We must learn as students of the kingdom of Jesus how do we best live in the Kingdom of this Earth and be the kind of citizens in the Kingdom of this Earth who can bring to it the light of heaven where we are the citizens of Heaven, the light that comes and shines in the darkness as John says, and the Darkness has not put it out. [00:09:00]

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