With the election mess, the increasingly tyrannical decisions of our state governor, and the rampant coronavirus fear, it’s becoming clear that the faithful are a minority in this country.

And yet, God is in control, as He's always been.

In this house, our first and final allegiance is with the leader of heaven, not earth. The lost and unstable outer world will not affect our life any more than it must. For it’s God’s policies that govern our life, and this will not change. He reigns in this heart and home, regardless of who runs the state or nation. We will always be on the winning side, because we are forever on Christ's side.

Wolves dressed as sheep may win earthly skirmishes. They may take control of nations, permit and glorify evil, enact oppressive policies that defy God, natural law, and the common good. They may destroy basic human rights and dignity. But the Lord's victory is final and ongoing. In the midst of dark and evil, He works harder for the good of souls—especially those who love and remain faithful to Him.

I sense a great persecution is coming for the orthodox Christians of this nation. Not overtly, of course—at least at first—but rather, under the pretense of some false “good” proposed by those who are God-less catalysts of evil. Really, it’s already started. Faithful Christians are increasingly hated, mocked, judged, silenced, falsely accused, cancelled and socially executed for their beliefs. Holy statues have been smashed, churches vandalized, Christians attacked—for their loyalty to the Lord. The gap between the faithful and the God-less continues to grow. The limits on Christian religious freedom and the right to worship keep gaining traction. Easter was taken away from us—I suspect Christmas will be, too.

But God never promised us a life free of difficulty. In fact, Jesus tried to prepare us for the exact opposite: “in the world, you have tribulation” (John 16:33) and “if anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me…” (Matthew 16:24).

Lately, I’ve been reflecting on the Resurrection of Christ, to remind myself of this.

On Good Friday, it appeared that evil had won, had overtaken good. The purest Love and Truth—Jesus, Himself—was mocked, beaten and crucified. But under and through that most seemingly irrefutable loss, God was working, winning. Even Jesus’ most faithful followers could not see how the Lord would work this defeat to His ultimate advantage. But He did. Jesus rose on the third day, in triumph over evil and death. And suddenly, God’s puzzling, greater plan was revealed. His followers rejoiced in His victory.

His ways are not my ways, but I can, and do, trust Him.

Should He wish to test my love and faithfulness in the days ahead, so be it. I ask Him to give me the same grace and strength He gave the apostles, that I may do His will—without sinning—no matter the personal cost. 

For it is still God who is in control. God, and God alone. Nothing, absolutely nothing, happens outside of His will. He has the bigger picture, the best plan. He holds winners, losers, nations, and futures in His hands. My hope and trust rest in the risen Christ—not laws, parties, politics, or people.

And so, despite what comes for me and my house—we will serve the Lord.

Joshua 24:15

“And if you be unwilling to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve,

whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell;

but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

John 16:33

“I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace.

In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Acts 5:27-29

And the high priest questioned them, saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” 

But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.