The Daily Paine

Sin means that our lives are governed by desires and not by truth.”         –D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

“You living soul, stand clear of those who are dead!”         –Dante

There are some things I don’t know, and then there are some that I don’t understand.  For example, last Friday something happened that I really don’t understand, but in another way I completely get it.  Let me give you the situation.  Elected by the people; people who knew what he stood for, knew his character, and knew his thoughts on the issues.  Elected by the people–democracy in action.  Last Friday, Judge Moore was removed from the bench of the Court of Alabama for not agreeing with same sex marriage.  Now, here is where it is confusing.  He was not removed by the people, but by a select council.  Removed by their whim and the dictates of their agenda, not the will of the people–that definitely is not democracy in action.
The cry goes out, the majority must protect the rights of the minority, and that is true.  In this case it was not the majority, but part of an agenda being performed.  The rights were not in question, but God’s law and morality was the issue.  When the rights of a small minority conflict with the majority, in a democracy, the minority must give way to the majority.
I heard twice this past weekend a profound truth, call it a prophecy if you will.  I heard two different individuals at different times say that this election is one of the most important in U.S. history.  This election will not just determine the next four years, but what happens in the next generation, and possibly longer.  Whoever is elected President will appoint between 3-5 Supreme Courts justices.  Those who say I cannot vote for either person are literally throwing their children to the dogs if Hillary gets elected.  The court will become the decision-making hotbed of liberalism.
There is also another issue, the issue of the church tolerating sin.  Jesus said “I am the truth….”  Another place He stated, “If you love me, keep my commandments.”  When the church gives in to society, evil will take over.  Throughout our history it has been the church that brought a stabilizing force to society.  It is the church that brought truth, law, justice, and civilization to the ruggedness of the frontier.  Now the church has backed off and is joining forces with evil.
I had a thought last Friday (I have them now and then).  It is righteousness that exalts a nation; that is important to remember.  Godliness could be substituted for righteousness, but when godliness is forsaken that nation will fall.  Now, hears my thought.  If a person blasphemes the Holy Spirit, the Spirit leaves him and he is lost.  God’s protection in time and through eternity is gone.  Can the same happen to a nation?  Our nation is one who has known God, a nation that was built upon the principles of the Scripture.  If our nation shuns God and His principles, will the Holy Spirit leave that nation?  If so, that leaves the nation open to all kinds of demons and evil forces.  Is that what we are seeing happen now?  Barclay is right, “There is a moral order in the universe and that he who defies it does so at his peril.”
However, on a positive note.  The nation could decline and forbid it does for I am an American!  But if it does, remember God does not leave His people.  There will be the Daniels, the Jeremiahs, the Shadracks and a host of others.  God protects, God blesses and guides even in the midst of “Egyptians and Philistines.”

“Because you disdained all my counsel, and would have none of my rebuke, I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes….  But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, and will be secure, without fear of evil.”          –Proverbs 1:25-26,33 (NKJV)