June 20

Jun 20 - Today from Proverbs 20 we look at verse 18
"Make plans by seeking advice; if you wage war, obtain guidance."

Today, we as a nation are involved in the second shooting war of the 21st century. The opinions, feelings and emotions of the people regarding the action cover the entire spectrum. I am not going to venture into the political arguments and ramifications of the action, but I am going to key on some spiritual principles. This is a time for God's people to be on their knees. Our nation is waging war (like it or not), and the first place we need to seek guidance is from almighty God, whose kingdom and authority rules over all.
"Make plans by seeking advice." I would not like being the President of the United States in these days, facing critical decisions which affect the lives of millions, the alliance of nations, and the course of history for generations. I am confident that President George W. Bush does not hastily make decisions. He seeks advice from his staff, his cabinet, from the Joint Chiefs of Staff, from the directors of various intelligence agencies, from the heads of state of friendly allies, and I am sure from numerous other sources. I am extremely grateful that our President is a man of prayer and of the faith, and that he seeks counsel from our God. He certainly doesn't come to me for advice, and for good reason; because anything I have to offer would be pretty subjective, based on emotions with limited knowledge. He doesn't go to the movie stars either, for the same reasons. I have been praying, and continue to pray something like this; "Father, surround our President with people of wisdom and integrity. May they supply him with credible advice. I pray Father that in your divine providence, you will provide the President and his advisors with clear and correct information, and that you would grant them abundant wisdom in proper use of the information. Grant our President the ability to be objective in his focus and to serve with integrity."
Arm chair politicians, movie stars, and even the news commentators do not have the resources and information that the President and his advisors have (thank goodness!). We do well to stay on our knees and intercede for the entrance and the rule of God's kingdom into the affairs of men and nations. The Apostle Paul writes to young Pastor Timothy this instruction for the church, "I urge then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercessions and thanksgiving be made for everyone - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness." (1 Tim. 2:1, 2). Paul tells the church that prayer for our leaders is of first importance. I often pray these days while watching the events on the news.
Today we are at war. The strength and vitality of our nation are at poised the front lines, standing in harm's way. They are ready to serve to defend the values our forefathers died for. The men and women of the armed forces of the USA have shed their blood on every continent of this world to uphold liberty and human rights. They are ready to do the same for the people of Iraq. They need our prayers and our support. Pray for the chaplains of our armed forces. They serve as Pastors and spiritual counselors. They have attentive ears and hearts. People think differently when they are facing the possibility of death and the reality of eternity. May God use these circumstances to draw the hearts of our brave defenders in this sober hour.
Finally, pray for God's transcendent grace - that which is beyond counsel, advice and knowledge. This enters into the realm of spiritual warfare. There are powers of darkness seated over the nations in the Mid-East who are worshipped as god. They deceive and influence men to become instruments of murder, of terror and of brutality. As the church, we have Christ's authority to pray against these powers. I often pray that Father would send confusion into their midst, that He would confound and expose their evil plans and their evil deeds. We also need to pray for the people who are deceived by these gods. They are not the enemy. Paul writes in Eph. 6:12, "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 realm." Again Paul writes in 2 Cor. 4:3, 4, "And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." There is incredible fodder for intercessory prayer just in these two passages.
The church facilities across this land should be full of His people interceding in this critical hour - but they remain empty. They only seem to fill after the enemy has struck. The church needs to learn and practice preventative maintenance. It may be slightly out of context, but the principle of 2 Cor. 4:18 holds sure, "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."