DATE POSTED: Thursday, August 29, 2024, and I was blessed to be at San Marcos River Resort, Fentress, TX when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find, read or listen to any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE FROM The Voice (VOICE) IS FOUND IN Isaiah 62:2-3

THE BIBLE TEXT IS: Jerusalem, the nations of the world will witness your righteousness, the most powerful world leaders will see your brilliance, And you will be called something new, something brand new, a name given by none other than the Eternal One. And you will be the crowning glory of the Eternal’s power, a royal crown cradled in His palm and held aloft by your God for all to see.

APPLICATION OF THE WORD: I heard of a church that struggled at one point because the ‘controlling’ members began withholding tithes until the church leadership listened to, and followed, their instructions. These instructions could have led to controlling who was the pastor, or how the tithes and offerings were used. Awful, isn’t it? But as I meditated on this Scripture today, my spirit was moved because I see the same thing happening in our politics, and in the decisions made by our government leaders regarding world leaders. Think about it – we have the power, so why not use that ‘power’ to control what others do? We have the money, so why not use that ‘money’ to control what others do? We have the arms, so why not use that ‘threat of withholding arms’ to control what others do? However, despite us giving the impression to the world that we are power-hungry and all controlling, they still may choose to listen, and follow, what they discern their Father in Heaven telling them to do. However, should we possibly feel compelled to seek God first in our decisions like the above-mentioned, wouldn’t there be many other decision areas that require change in order to comply with the instructions laid out for us by God in His Word? Why we’ve accepted the choice of some leaders to openly set up clinics to destroy the lives of the innocent, the helpless, the speechless as spoken of in Jeremiah 19:4. We’ve willingly opened our borders to freely facilitate the heart-breaking sin of human smuggling and other atrocious sins that seriously impact our citizens. Friends, I try very hard to stick to the Word of God and simply have my say in politics at the polls, but as I read this Scripture, I realized that we are making a mockery of God by visiting His temple regularly to ‘supposedly’ satisfy our religious obligations, but at the same time we are guilty of promoting and/or permitting these horrible sins in our lives and in our country. I don’t believe we could ever think that God would only bring condemnation on Israel for its sin, and not on the respective home countries of my readers for committing the same sins. I strongly believe that if God would have first place in our lives, then our decisions and lifestyles would be changed to reflect His leadership. This would not only lead to better husbands, fathers, church leaders and/or government leaders, but this change will be reflected in every decision we make – especially those decisions that impact the lives of others. At one time I stopped shopping at a certain, national store, because I learned they were careless with their investments and/or advertising dollars. I am fortunate to live in a country where the election of our leaders is up to voters like me. I feel like it is incumbent upon everyone to learn about the candidates and vote to reflect our personal Biblical beliefs and the teachings we have at our fingertips in the Holy Bible. Let’s pay close attention dear ones, for there’s a country that God holds in the palm of His hand, because of how meaningful it is to Him, and the closeness of its people to His heart. I believe we are called upon to make sure that we also love, respect, promote, encourage and support that country and uphold them in high regard before our Father, for we are to love what He loves, and denounce those sins in our lives that He hates.

PRAYER BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT OF TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Father in heaven, You have warned us in Your Word that Your people should let their yes be ‘yes’, and their no be ‘no’, as Your Word is clear on what is required of us. You’ve also taught us that we are not to dilute our faith by those that promote and/or live in evil/sin/disrespect to our Heavenly Father and Your precious Word. Thank You for allowing us to live in a democratic country where we can vote our conscience, while looking to You for guidance into electing those that best follow Your commands and Your teachings. I believe that Your ways and decisions are intentional, and that no leader is elected without Your approval, for they will rule over Your people, and their decisions may impact Your nation and people mentioned in today’s Scripture. Please continue to impress upon us the lifelong decision to live, honor, promote, and vote in a way pleasing to You and Your plan for our world while we are allowed to exist here on earth. May this all be an important way in which we stand up for You, as our King, and display our obedience to what You direct, so that the unsaved may recognize the One we love, adore and obey. Heaven is our eternal home, please help us to live on earth with eternity in mind! AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There’s another page on my website, entitled ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading or listening to this devotional, please go to this page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin or continue your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals, or subscribe for a daily email containing each new devotional, please go online to NuggetsFromGodsWord.org. For my podcast, go online to Apple Podcasts or, using the Apple Podcast app, simply search for Nuggets From God’s Word to hear more episodes, or click ‘Follow’ to be notified of Podcast updates. Friends, please allow me to encourage you to find a church home nearby your home and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!