Greetings to each one in the worthy name of Jesus Christ, our Saviour, and our Redeemer.
This magazine issue may seem to be arriving more quickly on the heels of the last one. True. We are continuing to tighten up our schedule as we work towards getting each quarterly issue out in a more timely manner. Our ultimate goal is to have them arrive in your mailboxes in the months of March, June, September, and December of each year. Pray for us as we continue moving towards that schedule.
From time to time, we receive feedback—suggestions, concerns, and encouragement. We value this feedback. It is filed away and used by the board as we continually evaluate ways to make our magazine better. One final thought on this matter… when we receive feedback of encouragement regarding a specific article, it is helpful for us, and it is encouraging for our authors as we pass that along to them. We welcome your ongoing feedback.
As previously mentioned, we are including several new categories in this issue. One on Church History that is being written by two young brothers from our church. And one on Hymn Histories being written by one of our board members, a middle-aged married man, who is also from our church.
In “Moses in Midian”, we take a walk in Moses’ footsteps during the mid-section of his life. He was uprooted from his comfortable lifestyle in Egypt as an adopted son of royalty and was then sent by God into the desert to learn some much-needed lessons in further preparation towards becoming God’s servant. As we take a look at the life of Jonah, we glean glimpses of “The God Who Will Not Let Go”. Often a struggling believer loses sight of the Truth of God because they believe the lie that no one cares, yet the truth of the matter is this—the God of the Bible doesn’t just drop us, or turn His back on us, the instant that we take a wrong turn or a misstep. Let’s allow this article to help us to become rooted and grounded in the biblical Truth of Abba Father—a Father who cares for His children. We also have the second article in a continuing series on discipleship, as well as an article written by a middle-aged, spiritually-mature sister who shares her encouragement for sisters to evaluate what God thinks of their attire.
Church History and Should A Christian Vote
Finally, let’s consider the two short articles on church history. One of our goals for this issue is burdened with the awareness that the country in which we live (the U.S.) is approaching mid-term elections in November of this year and that there will be a strong push for many conservative Anabaptists to become involved in the voting process to ensure a proper outcome for the good of their perceived cause or goals.
In the natural world our “old man” has the tendency to think that we must “do something” if we expect things to go in a “right” direction. The spiritual Truth is this: The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will –Proverbs 21:1. If we think that, as believers, we will have a part in electing the “right” person in an election if we personally vote, let’s stop to consider what God Himself told Nebuchadnezzar. …That the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will –Daniel 4:31-32.
Throughout the history of the Anabaptist people there have been varied opinions on this matter, however, it is our wish to lift up the perspective that Jesus said …My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight … but now is my kingdom not from hence –John 18:36. When we understand and develop a personal world view that is founded on the two-kingdom principle, we realize that we must function as …strangers and pilgrims on the earth. [While we] …declare plainly that [we] seek a country …a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called [our] God: for he hath prepared for [us] a city –Hebrews 11:13-16. In all things involving political involvement, it is our encouragement that New Testament believers should obey the command to …come out from among them, and be ye separate… –2 Corinthians 6:17.
Let’s always cultivate a right attitude in our hearts so that our talk and actions reflect God’s view on the matter when He through the Apostle Paul tells us to: Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God … For he is the minister of God to thee… –Romans 13:1-4.
It is in consideration of these thoughts that we wrote the two articles detailing very different times in the history of the church and what it was like for Christians to relate to the government of their day. Let us seriously ponder whether we can do more good by getting involved in politics, especially in the voting process. Or whether God wants us to pray for our elected officials, to view them as His servants, and to speak about them with respect. Ultimately, we must trust God to bring about His will for the winding down of the “clock of time” as time speeds onward towards the end of time. God will do this through hardening the hearts of ungodly men in positions of power, just like Pharaoh of old, to accomplish His sovereign will for the world.
So, what is the solution when we struggle within our hearts about the direction of our country and its growing instability or when we experience so much pressure from our peers or the society around us to get involved to make a difference? The Apostle Paul gives us very clear direction when he says, I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 1 Timothy 2:1-2. The Christian’s secret power of influence lies in the power of prayer that is produced in the privacy of his or her closet. However, for this prayer to have power it must be produced out of a heart of faith—And Jesus said unto them … verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you –Matthew 17:20. Let us always remember that …The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much –James 5:16.
Until the next time, may God be with each one and grant you grace and peace as you walk faithfully according to His Word. Let us pray for each other as we go through the trying times in our world today.
