Pastor's Column 1/10/21

PASTOR’S COLUMN

“They have planted the wind and will harvest the whirlwind. The stalks of grain wither and produce nothing to eat. And even if there is any grain, foreigners will eat it.” Hosea 8:7, NLT

2nd Sunday-Harnessing Whirlwinds!

The shameful and violent event that occurred at the nation’s capital building on Wednesday, January 6, 2021 will long-live in the memories of people around the world. The horrible scene of mostly non-people of color storming the walls, entrances and doors of the capitol building, unrestrained and free, was an actual glimpse of racial privilege and anarchy on display. People ask, “How did America come to this?” This is the wrong question. The question is, “What took them so long?” Hosea the prophet boldly declared that the day was coming in Israel that they would reap the devastation of the seeds of their own destruction. The judgment God declared on Israel prior to its catastrophic invasion by the Assyrians in 721 B.C. is eerily similar to the conditions in the United States. In this present-day America, there exists a form of civil idolatry that has emerged from conspiracy theories, which have existed for hundreds of years, with absolutely no basis in fact. We’ve seen the erosion of democratic principles by a “non” God-fearing president, who incited, fueled, and complimented the failed coup d’état attempt on the nation; which ironically, is the nation he had sworn an oath to lead. This episode presents a moral crisis that can only be remedied by people coming to their senses, and doing what is just and right. In his second letter to Timothy, Paul warned that it is only when we speak truth to power that others can be changed. He said, “Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants (cf. 2 Timothy 2:26, NLT). I agree!