“If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.” (Mark 3:24-25 ESV)
At this very moment and at times before, my heart has been grieving about the condition of what our nation has become. I have never in my life seen such division, hurt, pain and hatred. The lack of love and compassion is so strong that you can feel it almost everywhere you turn, and it is sad. This is not of Christ. The saddest part of this is that so many who profess to be Christians are some of the ones who are stirring the pot of division stronger than the unbelievers.
A fair warning: God is tired of this hypocrisy. Romans 1:18 (ESV) declares, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.”
COVID-19 is still rampant in this nation to the tune of over 210,000 precious lives having perished. Further, there are many who are currently suffering from it while there are others who are still recovering. There is divisiveness about the treatment and the cure. However, “the physician treats, but God heals.”
Lord, please bring the United States together in peace before we destroy ourselves for a lack of knowledge and love.
In just a few more days, we will witness one of the most important elections in the history of this nation. However, the tension, backbiting, anger, hypocrisy, name-calling and meanness over this election are destroying our country minute by minute. Children are being exposed to this, so they are being taught that this is how adults should conduct themselves in the political process. Families and friends are falling out with each other because of differences of political parties and opinions.
God is not pleased with this. I found a quote on Facebook that gives some very sound advice about this election, and I feel we all can benefit from it: “…Please don’t let the elephants and the donkeys make you forget you belong to the Lamb.” Glory Hallelujah!
Let me share with you a few verses of Scripture from the book of wisdom that show God’s displeasure with strife among His people. All of the verses are taken from the English Standard Version (ESV):
Proverbs 29:22: “A man of wrath stirs up strife, and one given to anger causes much transgression.”
Proverbs 28:25: “A greedy man stirs up strife, but the one who trusts in the Lord will be enriched.”
Proverbs 15:18: “A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.”
Proverbs 16:28: “A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.”
Proverbs 22:10: “Drive out a scoffer, and strife will go out, and quarreling and abuse will cease.”
Proverbs 20:3: “It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling.”
(Anna Bright is a minister and educator in Walterboro. She can be reached at abrightcolumn@lowcountry.com)
