“Put not your trust in princes,
in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.”
Psalm 146:3

At our home church, we discussed what it means to be holy. I’m not going to talk about that other than say being holy is a big concept. It distinguishes us from the rest of the world.

The verse I chose today was directly related to baseball, particularly the dashed hopes of a pennant race. We got hammered by the Yankees in three games. I was fortunate enough to have gone to Game 3, the only home game we played, and got back to my house at 2 a.m..

I got sucked into the game this year. The Twins had a really good team. It was looking like we were headed to the playoffs, so I bought year-end season tickets to get a priority opportunity for post-season tickets. Of course, they require you to buy season tickets for NEXT year as well. So, it looks like I’ll be going to a lot of games next season.

Then they get hammered and are done for the season.

“Put not your trust in princes.”

Now, I’m not going to draw the conclusion that to be holy one must avoid baseball. I AM saying that I got caught up in the game and spent way more time and money on baseball this year than I ever have. That should give me pause to reflect on all this. Would everything have been OK had we gone all the way and won the World Series? Well, I know this, I would have been far more sucked into it than I am now.

I think there is no right or wrong answer to this. It would be ridiculous to suggest that a Christian can’t enjoy baseball, even to attend playoff games. On the other hand, it is worthwhile to consider what one will give up watching a sport played by humans. The glory of a champion soon fades.

Our politics, especially of late, fit into this discussion as well. It’s frightening to see the hatred in this country. What should we, as Christians, do about it? Fire up our Facebook posts? Donate money to political causes? Get in debates and arguments with friends and families? After all, this country looks to be headed for destruction, right? Something must be done!

We can pray, right? Franklin Graham called for a day of prayer for our President this week. Is that a good idea? Well, it would seem so except it makes one wonder why we aren’t praying like that for our nation on a regular basis. And what should we be praying for? Well, let’s not forget this:

1 Timothy 2:1-3 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,

What’s the purpose of our prayer? That we (Christians) may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. That believers may lead a peaceful and quiet life. That’s the end game.

Do we pause to remember this prayer?

“Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” Luke 22:42b

Perhaps this country is headed in the direction God is allowing.

Romans 1:28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.

If this country goes down in flames, it will happen because God allowed it to. Why? For his glory.

Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.

Look, I don’t want people to sin against a holy and living God, but God allows them to do just that. We serve a God of justice, don’t we? That glorifies God just as much as his mercy, does it not? Think about that.

Does this country need a revival? I would like to see one, but does that mean God will send one? Are we any more in God’s will to pray for revival than for great hailstones and fire?

Here’s a thought that comes to my mind:

Luke 10:2 And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.

How about this one:

Matthew 6:9-13 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debt, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

I don’t know about you, but if I was given the job of President of the United States and power to do as I see fit, I wouldn’t have a clue as where to start fixing our problems. Why would I pray that God does this or that when I really don’t know what needs to be done? Besides, maybe God is already in control over this whole situation. He knows full well what is happening, doesn’t he? And here is one thing we know for sure – God will be glorified. Always.

Maybe it’s time to get out of the way and simply pray like we have been taught in scripture. Perhaps it would be worth some time to study all this – now that the Twins are out of it.

Father, teach us to pray. Amen. Oh, Holy Spirit, please pray for us. We don’t know how to pray as we ought. Thank you. Amen.

Copyright © 2019 Scott Powers