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Where is your hope?

It’s been several weeks since I’ve last written. Part of that has been intentional. Part of it is information fatigue. I had planned to remind us who is in charge following the 2020 Presidential election. But of course it’s 2020 and the election did not go smoothly. There has still not been a concession by President Trump, but the Electoral College met this week to elect Joe Biden the 46th President of the United States. (As an aside, I’m going to avoid discussion of voter fraud, electoral malfeasance, or any other allegations. For the purpose of this blogpost, they are beside the point).

Some of you reading this are terribly disappointed. You are disappointed that your preferred candidate didn’t win. Others of you are disappointed that your preferred candidate hasn’t acted with more dignity. Others of you are disappointed that the lesser of two evils options has resulted in a political platform that adopts anti-biblical values. As Christians, we should all be more disappointed in the moral direction of our country than in the results of an election.

I repeat my title question, “Where is your hope?” Does your hope rely on a presidential election? A political direction? A platform that appeals to your values? Or does your hope rest somewhere deeper?

I believe in the authority and testimony of Scripture. Over 1500 years and 40 authors, God inspired the books of the Bible to relate to us his story of Sovereignty and Redemption. Let me encourage you with a few reminders of God’s sovereignty over nations, kings, and leaders.

  • God used Joseph in Egypt as a slave who would become the counselor to Pharaoh in order to rescue his chosen people (Genesis 39-50).
  • God sent Moses back to Egypt to command Pharaoh to let the people of Israel go. When he refused, God revealed his authority over the Egyptian deities with plagues and rescued his people from slavery (Exodus).
  • God authorized Joshua to take the Promised Land and serve as an instrument of judgment on the Canaanite peoples for their idolatry, depravity, and wickedness (Genesis 15:16; Joshua).
  • God raised up David as King in Israel who would lead the people of Israel to worship God alone (1-2 Samuel).
  • God sent prophets to Israel’s kings and Judah’s kings promising judgment and justice if they failed to repent (1-2 Kings, 1-2 Chronicles, see also the major and minor prophets).
  • God raised up Assyria to judge Israel (2 Kings 17) for their failure to repent and Babylon to judge Judah for their failure to repent (2 Kings 24).
  • God raised up Cyrus to send the people of Judah back from exile (2 Chronicles 36).

This list is not isolated. God has intervened in the affairs of mankind revealing his sovereignty and rule over kings, nations, and leaders. God rules over nations and leaders (Isaiah 40:15-17; Psalm 98). Daniel affirmed to King Nebuchadnezzar that God raises up world leaders and sets them down (Daniel 2:21). Jesus affirmed the same thing when he stated that Pilate’s authority came from above (John 19:11). Again, this is just a sample of the Scriptural claims on political authority.

The Bible is clear: world leaders are all subject to divine sovereignty. Leaders, kings, presidents, legislators, judges, and counsels do not operate in isolation. They are subject to the sovereign plans of the King of kings and Lord of lords. What is fascinating about biblical history is that God used both the godly and the wicked for his purposes. He used Joseph, David, and Solomon. But he also used Nebuchadnezzar, Cyrus, and Pilate. God’s sovereignty does not end with a presidential election, a change in government, wars, divisions, or pandemics. God is sovereign and in control. And this truth gives us hope.

The biblical affirmations about God’s rule in the world should lead us to several important applications.

  • We must rejoice in the Lord’s rule as King and Judge (Psalm 98).
  • We must trust in the Lord’s plans and purposes (Isaiah 26:1-6).
  • We must pray for whomever God has placed over us politically (1 Timothy 2:1-7).

I know this year has not been easy, but let us remember that our hope is found in a Sovereign Lord.

Christian, Discern between True and False Teaching

Jeremiah was a voice for repentance and judgment 2500 years ago in Jerusalem. But Jeremiah was not a singular voice. Jerusalem was filled with a cacophony of voices. False prophets proclaimed over and over again that Judah would avoid judgment. They proclaimed, “Peace,” when God promised violence. They erred because they did not hear the voice of the Lord.

And the Lord said to me: “The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I did not send them, nor did I command them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a lying vision, worthless divination, and the deceit of their own minds.” 

Jeremiah 14:14

We are not all that different from Jeremiah’s day. False prophets build platforms and proclaim their own ideas. In the cacophony of voices and noise around us, how do we as followers of Jesus discern truth and avoid false doctrine?

Christian, it is your responsibility to know the Word of God. Jeremiah preached truth because he preached what God said. False prophets are those who proclaim what is not true according to Scripture. Discerning the difference is our responsibility.

The Secret Service carries a responsibility to investigate counterfeit currency. They don’t learn to identify counterfeit money by studying what is fake. They learn to identify the counterfeit by studying what is authentic. As followers of Jesus, we need to study and know the authentic and true (God’s Word) so we will be able to discern what is false.

Here are some ways that you can develop your knowledge of the Bible as authentic and true. I will link to resources at the bottom of the post.

  • Read and study the Bible daily. The single greatest thing you can do for your spiritual life is read the Bible.
  • Memorize and apply the Bible regularly. Knowing the Bible is good, but living the Bible is the goal.
  • Listen to biblical preaching weekly. Make sure you are attending, watching, listening at your local church and/or listening to solid biblical preaching on the radio or podcasts as often as you are able.
  • Avoid false teaching. If you become aware of a teacher or preacher who is unbiblical, avoid it.
  • Read commentaries and books that develop your biblical understanding. Strengthening our faith through learning will help us better understand and apply our Christian faith.

If you are concerned about family or friends who are listening to false teachers, pray for them. Don’t just yell at them or condemn them. Pray that God will give you an open door to have a fruitful conversation about their church or listening habits.

Sometimes our theological concerns with family and friends is not between false and true, but rather about areas of theological interpretation. Dr. Albert Mohler offers an insightful illustration for discerning theological differences in his Call for Theological Triage and Christian Maturity.

If you doubt there is false teaching out there, then let me commend to you the documentary, American Gospel: Christ Alone. The documentary reflects on the false doctrine that permeates the prosperity gospel movement. You can also find it on a number of streaming platforms.

Finally, here are some preaching and teaching resources and recommendations for solid biblical preaching and teaching that will strengthen your faith. These are some of my favorites.

Truth for Life, Allistair Begg

Gospel in Life, Timothy Keller

The Briefing, Albert Mohler

You can search and subscribe for any of these wherever podcasts are found. At Wilkesboro Baptist Church, we are making our Sunday sermons available in podcast format as well. Soon you will be able to download lessons in theology from our podcast channel as well. Be sure to search and subscribe “Wilkesboro Baptist Church” on the Apple Podcast App, Spotify, and wherever podcasts are found.