October 3, 2025

GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY:

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.“

(Ephesians 6.12)

TODAY’S REFLECTION ON GOD’S WORD TO US:

If only it was in America that the issue of political subterfuge was rampant, it would be one thing. Sadly, and we all know it to be true, it isn’t even a global issue. What does that leave? It leaves us with the reality which the Apostle Paul espoused to the “church” in Ephesus as recorded in the letter to them (Ephesians 6) “We do not battle against flesh and blood but against the rulers, authorities, powers and spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Mighty ones of God, this means that such subterfuge isn’t even a “universal” issue for it exceeds the boundaries of the known universe with all its galaxies and astronomical phenomenon. We are talking about battlegrounds that we cannot see whose collateral damage is spilling out in the human realm. Indeed, it may even be a part of every living thing. For the moment, however, I will stick to the living things which we know are cognizant beings (and I worry about many of them, including myself from time to time.) I mention all of this here and now in the midst of reflections which I have been presenting on Jeremiah’s Lamentations. I believe it is pertinent because of the theme of the last several reflections on Lamentations, chapter 3, which is “forgetting one’s self.” When the Apostle Peter declared that every believer in Jesus as the Christ is a member of the priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2.5f), he was reminding them all across the face of Europe, Asia and Africa to “remember who you are and whose you are.” We were not created by Almighty God to merely exist as “footloose and fancy free” individuals to cater to our own whims and desires with disregard to the Creator and to all other creatures and creation. We were created with a purpose and the opportunity to choose what is best that serves us, others and most importantly the glory of God. This does mean that we could choose to do otherwise but not without the knowledge of the ultimate consequence of doing so (… Paul’s “for the wages of sin is death, [eternal death and separation from the love and mercy of God which was manifested for us to see in Jesus as the Christ, the only begotten Son of God in whom eternal life will be manifested for those who believe in Him and on Him and accept Him as such.]” (Romans 6.23) It is that “purpose” which truly identifies who we are as God’s people over and against “people of God.” We are all “of God” because He has created us and made us. We are His. Nothing that exists in form today was made apart from the connection we have with Christ Jesus (confessed or ignored….”for all have sinned and fallen short.”) Yes, Jesus died for the sins of every person but salvation, while available to all, is not received by all and thus those who do not receive it continue to fall short of their identity as one of God’s people. Even in the time of communion, most call “The Lord’s Supper,” Jesus leaves with all of us the key words of “this do in remembrance of Me.” It is an urgent call to “not forget who we are in Christ Jesus.”

How does this apply to the beginning scenario I presented for today’s reflection? In the midst of the “government shutdown” of these United States of America (at the federal level), one of the major sticking points is the “provision of healthcare to undocumented/non-citizens of the United States.” The verbage presented by the members of the Democratic Party is “denial of healthcare benefits to Americans.” To that I say, there is a “forgottenness” to who an American is.

They may speak of it in a broad sense without clearly saying so in that citizens of North, Central and South America are “Americans.” I do not think that is the case.

They may speak of it in terms of geography as to the borders of the United States of America (50 states and its protectorates) so that anyone living within those borders would be considered “an American.” I believe that is their sense of the “word.”

But my understanding of the word American is not philosophical or theoretical, it is legal and clearly defined. An American is one who is a citizen of this country and committed to the life and welfare of this nation as established in the Constitution (we are still a constitutional republic, btw) and its citizens. Our government is supposed to be committed to citizens first and then more broadly applying services to others. Such does not seem to be the case! And I will speak to both sides of the aisle on this. I speak with the understanding of the great commands: love God and love the neighbor as we ourselves are loved. Yes, we are to love the neighbor and the stranger but not at the cost of ourselves and those within the community of “faith,” politically speaking that is the citizenry of this nation. We are Americans first and not simply people who live in America. To divest our interest in the citizenry of this country for the sake of other agendas is what happened to Israel of old. We cannot allow it to continue in this country lest we desire to face the same disastrous consequences.

We must remember who we are as a nation and as a priesthood of all believers whose purpose is to serve the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, strength and mind!

TODAY’S PRAYER IN RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORD:

Father, in these days we are finding the need to believe even more than ever before. We all have known trouble, some in greater ways than others, but You are offering us the assurance that we will not be consumed by it forever. Regardless of the “time” we are in and the “time” we have been given, we ask for Your Holy Spirit which Jesus asked You to share with us, to lead and guide and direct us in the paths we should go. Teach us what we still need to learn. Empower us to put that learning into action. Bless our actions not as a works righteousness but as righteous works of faith, hope and love in Jesus’ name. AMEN.