Shade Tree Wisdom 5/25/08

92 today, and sort of humid. This morning at Church we recognized those who served in the military, and prayed for the people even now engaged in wars. A reminder that simply living in this “Land of the Free’ is a costly and never-ending business of hard work, careful planning, constant care, and deep thought.

For many Christians, their thoughts turn to their God. The psalmist said, “When I am afraid, I will put my trust in Thee." Psalm 56,3.

I find the story of King Asa instructive. You’ll find it in 2 Chronicles chapter 14 – 16. Here is a king who trusted God, followed His direction, and brought the land of Judah back to the real worship. He had a standing army of 300,000 marked as “fighting men”. And when Zerah the Cushite marched out against him, Asa prayed, “O Lord, You are our God, let not man prevail against you”. And the Lord brought victory to king Asa. Then “there was no more war till the 35th year of king Asa.” 15,19.

But when the king of Israel threatened his land, Asa took the temple treasuries and sent them to the king of Syria to buy his allegiance. The prophet Hanani told him, ‘You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war”. 16,9. And the last days of Asa were not blessed by God and he died from an illness.

St. Paul reminded us, “Whatsoever was written aforetime was written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures ,might have hope” Rom 15,4.

We are looking to elect a President. You must know, and pray for, a person who will lead, a person of character and understanding. Maybe Ghandi had it right when he is quoted as saying, “The obligation of accepting a position of power is to be, above all, a good human being”.

Make Psalm 46 a reading. “God is our Refuge, and strength,
An ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore will we not fear,
Though the earth be removed,
And the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.. . .
The Lord Almighty is with us,
The God of Jacob is our refuge.
Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth” Psalm 46, 1ff.
GPD 5/25/08