Who will stand up for me against evildoers? Who will take his stand for me against those who do wickedness? If the LORD had not been my help, My soul would soon have dwelt in the abode of silence. If I should say, "My foot has slipped," Your lovingkindness, O LORD, will hold me up. When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul. Psalm 94:16-19 NAS
Reflection
On the third Monday of January, we pause to celebrate the life of Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. As a follower of Jesus he was a leader of a church as a pastor, leader in the civil rights movement, leader of a family as a husband, father, uncle, and much more in a time and place in history where God called him to stand against the wickedness of racism; the ungodly ideology that a human being made in the image of God deserves to be treated with less respect, opportunities, honor, care and acceptance due to the color of your skin or ethnicity. Rev. King knew the Lord called him to stand for not just civil rights but righteousness as he called for non-violent protests even when they were threatened and met with extreme violence. Ultimately, Rev. King was killed, assassinated for standing up for those who were being pushed down, but his dream not only lived on, but his voice continued to motivate the hearts of millions because his hope and his “dream” chose to stand on the firm foundation of the Word of God and righteousness.
“I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.”
“This is our hope. This is the faith that I go back to the South with. With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.”
Reverand King was not a perfect man; Jesus was the only one to walk through the world in perfection, but despite his imperfections, suffering, threats, sacrifice, imprisonment, violence carried out against him and those who stood with him, he would not sit and he did not quit. The righteous cannot sit in silence in the midst of discrimination, hatred, need, or anything else that does not align with the character and values of God found in His Word.
Who has God placed on your heart to stand for? The hungry, the homeless, veterans or military families? Does your heart ache for a particular person or group of people who need to hear about the God of hope and see His people putting their faith into action? Where could you volunteer your time and talent? Would you be willing to tutor or mentor, go or give, stand up and speak up against evil that seeks to kill, steal and destroy the God-ordained destiny of your neighbors and nation?
In addition to celebrating Rev. King this year, we will also observe and celebrate the inauguration of a new President of the United States of America. Romans 13:1 instructs, “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” None of our Presidents have ever been perfect and no government has ever ruled in perfect righteousness; therefore we must stand and serve in the love of God and His righteousness, so that we might have the privilege of being used by God as an answer to someone’s prayers and for God’s Kingdom to come and His will to be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Will you please pray with us right now?
Lord, we praise You first as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. You are the first and utmost authority in heaven and earth as well as in our hearts and homes. In honor and prayer, we celebrate those who hear Your call on their lives and obey You even in great sacrifice or the shadow of death, but our worship belongs to You alone. Thank you for the life and sacrifice of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and all who stood with him for righteousness in a righteous manner. May we never engage in or excuse sin for the sake of a cause in the name of Christ.
We pray now for all who You have called to serve in our government from our President to Congress, throughout the White House and the Capitol, in the courts across our country, and all You have established with governmental authority in our states, cities, and districts. We pray they will seek You always and serve under Your authority, anointing, and appointment. Preserve and protect them from any earthly agenda whispered by the enemy that leads us into wickedness apart from Your Word, will, and ways. We commit to pray fervently for them and serve beside them to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with You. Deliver us from evil, as You engage and equip us to stand together and fight the good fight, spreading Your gospel and making disciples throughout our days. Please guide and guard their hearts, families, and staff as You strengthen these leaders to stand and serve, knowing Your Word will guide them, Your lovingkindness will hold them up, and Your comfort and courage will delight their soul.
May they lead as You lead them. In the mighty and matchless name of Jesus we pray, Amen!
Serving Him with gladness,
Kathy Branzell
President
