God's Word is the Cure
Let's be a people of God's Word. Over the past few weeks, I have spoken to several people about their concerns over our nation's division and turmoil. We have to recognize that our nation is divided, and civilization-level struggles are rising in the West. These struggles are new to us, but they are not new in the world's history, nor are they a surprise to God. Because God is in control, we can be assured that these things, in the end, will be for our good and his glory. That is the "big picture" posture to take, in my opinion. But what about the day-to-day? How then shall we live in such a world? I do not know the answer to that entirely, but I believe the solution's beginning is in our day-to-day way of life.
How do you begin your day? Do you immediately turn over, turn on your bedside lamp, grab your smartphone and go to the day's news? When I eventually get to the news each morning, I joke to myself that I need to go to such-and-such a website to know what to think for the day. I am jesting, of course, but that is what the news industry wants us to do—take our cues from their headlines. Is that the way Christians are supposed to live? It is not. Let us be a people of the Word. Let us turn to the Lord's way of viewing the world. We develop that way of seeing the world as we read the Scripture and follow the Spirit's guidance as he applies the gospel to our lives.
How do you spend your day? Do you keep NPR, CNN, or the Rush Limbaugh Show on in the background as you go about your day? Is your evening spent watching MSNBC, CNN, FOX, NewsMax, or OAN? If you do, your anxiety levels will be through the roof! Why? Because the news headlines and sound bites are informing your day. Now, imagine that amount of time being spent in prayer or meditation on God's Word? Imagine how your view of the world would change! Think how your perspective on life would shift! I encourage you to adjust your life so that you spend more time and energy in pursuit of God than in the pursuit of the things the news headlines want you to be concerned.
God's Word is sufficient. 2 Timothy 3:16–17 (ESV) says, "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." Every week I seek to bring the Scripture's sufficiency to bear upon our lives through the preaching of God's Word. As a church, we are reading through the Scripture together to soak in the words of God. Let us continue to pour God's Word into our hearts by the Spirit of God, and, at the same time, let us make sure that nothing gets more of our attention than God and his Word.