Happy Independence Day

What do we say? The 'hundreds' have dropped out of our weather forecast, the evening rains have returned, do we dare hope that summer has returned to a more normal mode? Faith says: Praise God for the relief from the serious heat. Doubt says: I'll believe it when I see it. Both may come to mind at nearly the same time fighting for space in my thoughts. Does one make me sinful and the other faithful? Actually, if we read what Paul has to say in Romans, we come to realize that this war raging within us is a sign that the Spirit has come to dwell in our hearts. We want to listen to only the faithful voice of the Spirit, but the flesh born in sin and raised in a fallen world speaks up too. At times, the voices may be difficult to discern as the flesh gets help from a band of clever liars who follow their chief, the father of lies. In a way, at our rebirth in Christ, we declared our independence from sin and death. Like many nations, a declaration of independence does not mean the fight is over, rather that the fight has only just begun. The world and its prince do not want to give up their captives.

Declaring our independence from this world does not mean that we get to live somewhere else either. The temptations to sin are all around us, and in our thoughts as well. An idle moment from the toil brings thoughts of lust for this thing or that, almost like someone waits to pounce upon us as soon as we are still. Is there no rest in this world then? No, not 'in this world'. We must look in a different direction for our rest. We must seek the way to find rest. Hold the phone, didn't someone claim to be the way? Why yes, He did in John 14:6. By seeking the way, the truth, and the life, we have what we need to combat the confusion, the lies, and the death that surround us in this world. Anxious thoughts are stilled by thinking on Jesus and His sovereign will. Death-like depressed thoughts are lifted up from the muck by thinking on the risen Savior and His promise to return. The deceptions of the world are uncovered by the truth of God's Son. Life here is not easy, but we do not face it alone. The enemies may gather in strength, but our God is the Almighty. Live ever more closely to our Lord and His wonderful Word. We cannot face win this fight on our own.

God bless you on this Independence Day!
Bucky