Last night, as the election results came in, my son and I stared at the TV screen in horror. I realized abruptly that I actually had tears streaming down my face.

Later, after my son had gone to bed muttering about how "people are so stupid", I had a thought....

When the Prophet Daniel looked at the writing on the wall, he did not look at the corrupt king of the Babylonians and state "he has good intentions" and did not say "I will not speak ill of him" - he told it like it was:

"But thou hast lifted thyself up against the Lord of heaven: and the vessels of his house have been brought before thee: and thou, and thy nobles, and thy wives, and thy concubines have drunk wine in them: and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and of gold, and of brass, of iron, and of wood, and of stone, that neither see, nor hear, nor feel: but the God who hath thy breath in his hand, and all thy ways, thou hast not glorified... And this is the writing that is written: MANE, THECEL, PHARES. ... God hath numbered thy kingdom, and hath finished it... thou art weighed in the balance, and art found wanting... thy kingdom is divided, and is given to the Medes and Persians....(Daniel 5:23-30)

I made this comment last night to some folks. Didn't get much of a response. I really think this whole situation is not only in God's hands, but is a real wake-up call by the Lord. And we may all have to face many trials and tribulations to come. And that will also be in the hands of the Lord.

In the Temple in Jerusalem, the Lord was present in an active, visible manner. The people of Israel could see the many miracles that occurred, and praise the Lord. But they fell into complacency and corruption. Then the Lord allowed them to be chastised and the Temple to be destroyed. He showed them in no uncertain terms that they didn't need a building or miracles - they needed HIM. The Lord essentially forced them to take a stand - even in their fear, grief, and suffering - were they His people, or not?

In Babylon the people had to cling to His covenant, and get on their knees and humble themselves. Even the King of Babylon was forced to humble himself and acknowledge the sovereignty of the Lord. Like Nebuchadnezzar, God is sending us out to eat weeds and sleep under the vault of Heaven, until we put the Most High back into the forefront of our lives. God is in control. There is always a reason, even for pain, even for suffering. The Lord blesses us with everything He sends us.

We are in Babylon now. Belshazzar sings his songs and drinks from our holy vessels. He thinks he has riches and power. But the Lord is faithful, the Lord is ever good. Praise Him, serve Him, and stand fast to your faith, for "the Most High God rules over the kingdom of men and appoints over it whom he will." (Daniel 5:21)

Let us pray:

"For the Lord is great and exceedingly to be praised: and he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the Lord made the heavens. Praise and magnificence are before him: strength and joy in his place. Bring ye to the Lord, O ye families of the nations: bring ye to the Lord glory and empire. Give to the Lord glory to his name, bring up sacrifice, and come ye in his sight: and adore the Lord in holy becomingness. Let all the earth be moved at his presence: for he hath founded the world immoveable. Let the heavens rejoice, and the earth be glad: and let them say among the nations: The Lord hath reigned. Let the sea roar, and the fullness thereof: let the fields rejoice, and all things that are in them. Then shall the trees of the wood give praise before the Lord: because he is come to judge the earth. Give ye glory to the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever." (1 Chronicles, 16: 25 - 34)

Pax et Bonum,

Lisa
Westfield, MA

Labels: abortion, catholic, election, faith, hope, life