FRONT-PORCH GOSPEL: Tuesday night? Well, that’s prayer night
Good week to all. Welcome to the “front porch.”
Alas, the election is here. And by the way, I think this is the first time I’ve begun a column with ‘alas,’ but this is a time like no other. You understand.
I mean, who would’ve thought things would have come to this? Terrorists blowing up buildings, some other world power apparently intentionally spreading a deadly virus, and our own news media reaching a point where they only report one side of argument – which is a greater threat to our democracy than any foreign power could be. But we should not be surprised, I guess: All great world powers fall from within, not without. President Lincoln, quoting the Lord, said it well centuries ago: “A house divided cannot stand.”
The only answer I can offer you today is that if ever we needed prayer, Tuesday night would be a good time to hit your knees. On Tuesday, November 3, the Lord will decide our next president. Our prayer is that His decision will be for the strength of this nation, not for its downfall. Think a moment – Can there be any doubt that the Lord is going to do one of two things: Reach down and try to save us from ourselves, or turn us over to the wolves – with the hook, the line, and the sinker?
Our blessed country was built many years ago upon biblical and Christian principles. How far have we erred from that foundation in the past two-and-a-half centuries? Can we assert that we are a stronger spiritual nation now that then? I wonder who would stand up and answer that question in the affirmative.
Really, the only answer that those who do not hold to spiritual principles can offer is maybe a, “Well, this country is not supposed to be built upon a respect for God” – and I’d not want to be standing next to that person when they declare something like that. The Lord hasn’t sent lightning down from heaven recently, as far as I know; but I have a hard time believing that he hasn’t put his hand on the lightning lever a few times.
We preach rights – we trumpet that message in every corner of the land – and that is the right thing to preach because the Constitution states that “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights…”
All men – and there is no asterisk there – all men are created on level ground, equal footing. And when the Lord decides into whose hands to put our fragile country for the next few years, we pray that He will choose to put one whose policies will take us back closer to the original proclamation, that this country is “endowed by their Creator.” Let’s not be deceived: It’s not the president who endows us, or the Congress or Senate. God endows us. So say our Constitution and our forefathers at the inception of our great nation.
When we are strong, we do all that is within our power to extend true rights to all of those within our domain – every adult, every child – those born and those soon-to-be born. Our Creator gives life and He gives right, and our Creator takes away life and takes away rights – and when we decide we have that power, we have overthrown our Creator and put ourselves upon a wobbly throne.
If you have a prayer, today, that you’ve been holding back, here’s a good time to hit your knees and make your most fervent, passionate plea: “Lord, on Tuesday night, lead us back to You, please – In Jesus’ name.”
Coach Steven Bowen, a long-time Red Oak teacher and coach, now enjoys his time as a full-time writer and preacher of the gospel. In addition to his evangelistic travels, he works and writes for the Church of Christ of Red Oak at Uhl Road and Ovilla. Their worship times are 10 a.m. Sundays and 7:30 pm. Wednesdays. Email coachbowen1984@gmail.com or call or text 972-824-5197.