1 Samuel 5, Ecclesiastes 6, 1 Peter 4

Many Christians and conservatives in the U.S. are wringing their hands over the results of our recent presidential election. I sense real fear as I listen to some acquaintances talk. But 1 Samuel 5 speaks calm and peace to me. This chapter describes how the Holy Spirit, who dwelt in the ark of God, by His very presence caused the enemy so much death and grief that they only wanted to be rid of it. The enemy is allowed the power God intends, and no more. We can trust the Lord to prevail. Yes, we have to do our part, but we need not despair. God is in control.

Solomon realized that our focus needs to be eternal, rather than temporal. Everyone dies, he says, so we'd better pay attention to "Him who is mightier" (v. 10).

Peter continues Solomon's train of thought. He tells us what our focus needs to be in practical terms: doing the will of God. Living in such a manner that lost people don't understand and persecute us for being Christians. He contrasts this new focus with our old focus - physical pleasures on earth.

If we need any motivation to keep our focus on Christ, it is the judgment that awaits everyone. Whatever happens in our country or our lives on earth, it really is not as important as our lives in heaven. So let's raise our gaze to catch a glimpse of the bigger picture and keep our eyes on it.

Joshua 3, Psalm 137, Philippians 2

Joshua told the people what they should do and what God would do. The people obeyed exactly, and watched God do what He promised. The Bible is full of God's promises and we can trust Him. The key is our obedience.

The cry from captivity is a mournful one. Sin caused the captivity. The contrast between Joshua 3 and Psalm 137 is stark and illustrates the difference between blessings from obedience and consequences of sin.

The whole point of obedience is to become like Christ, humble and obedient to death and then exalted. Paul encourages the Philippians to be obedient, reminds them of his own obedience, commends Timothy and Epaphroditus for their obedience, and chides the Philippians a bit for what they lacked toward Paul. The point is not that we'll be exalted now or even as Christ later, but we will be heirs with Christ later. It is all for Christ.

Our obedience now brings - attracts - others to Him. If we suffer for the cause now, it's not the same as suffering the consequences of sin. We need to recognize the difference. Sometimes we get so caught up in the experience of suffering that we fail to see why we are suffering. There is suffering because of our faith, suffering as a result of sin, and suffering that is designed to refine us. (Of course, all suffering refines us, but some is only for that purpose.)

Paul was persecuted for his faith, and so were Timothy and Epaphroditus. The Philippian Christians faced the very real possibility that they would be, too. This is the suffering to which he refers. But even when going through something so terrible, Paul and others of his day watched God do what He promised. God won all kinds of victories for them, even though they ultimately died for Him. Christ died, too - more accurately, first. But that didn't mean God forgot His promises.

We are promised a place at the table in heaven. God always keeps His promises.