Today's Devotional

 

 December 31, 2008

                                                                                                                        

Subject:  New Year's Forecast - Hate

Luke 21:12 - "But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.

Luke 21:17 - "And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake" 

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You may remember Michael Newdow from a couple of years back.  He is the guy who sued to have the words "under God" removed from the pledge of allegiance.  Of course he lost that suit in federal court.  Well he's back.  This time, he's joining 17 other plaintiffs, including atheist and humanist organizations, in seeking to remove all religious references from President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration.  He wants to ensure that Rick Warren and Joseph Lowery, both Christian ministers, make no reference to Jesus in their prayers.  He is also trying to ensure that the words "so help me God" are not uttered as a part of the President's oath.

The scripture once again rings true.  To paraphrase Luke 21 Jesus said, "they will take you to court and send you to jail simply because of me."  Well it's happening and what a great challenge for believers.  We get an opportunity to stand true to our Savior and as the scripture in Luke 21 goes on to say in verse 28, "...when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh."

We don't really like persecution, but it's in our forecast just as we may not desire rain, but it's going to come.  Not to fear, we've got the "Spiritual Umbrella" in Jesus Christ and though the rains and floods may come, we've already been rescued.

Tomorrow ushers in a new year, but sadly we will be facing much of the same animosity we've always faced because we serve a living Savior. Praise God that He is not bound by time as we are.  He is eternal and everlasting and has conquered those who hate us because remember they hated Him first.     

Carlen