What’s in Your Governor’s Fireplace?
Written by Paul Hurst IFI
People of faith are sensing something is very wrong with our government right now. In Illinois, the newspapers might as well publish Jeremiah Chapter 36 as their front page cover story. After all, his Biblical account sounds like it’s taken directly from today’s headlines.
Pending disaster, dire warnings, arrogant leaders, cowardly representatives, people of faith banned from their place of worship, untrustworthy people turning each other in and an increasingly godless society, tempting God’s wrath every step of the way.
Welcome to 600 BC Judah and welcome to Illinois, 2020.
The Prophet Jeremiah warned the people of a disaster God was sending, as a test to see if they would repent. God often tests our faith because we learn from these trials. He also says this:
“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” ~2 Chronicles 7:14
One wonders if this verse was behind the design of one of our nation’s first flags. Before the Declaration of Independence, the “Appeal to Heaven” flag flew, with the Liberty Tree inspiring all who saw it, to fight for freedom. Time to raise that flag again.
In Jeremiah 36, what did God’s people do? Nothing. What did the government officials do? They acted out of fear, telling the religious leader to hide and then reported him to the King. What did the King do? He cut the Word of God to ribbons and burned it in his fireplace, then he called for arrests to be made. In the end, the disaster increased and the King took the people down with him.
Obviously “King” Pritzker doesn’t have the moral discipline to avert this disaster. Abortion mills are open, churches are closed. You can buy weed and booze, but works of creation or beauty like flowers and art? Not so much. What about our state lawmakers? Sadly, most of them seem to be as spineless as the fearful politicians in Jeremiah 36. But, there is good news, if we’ll embrace that distinctly American phrase , “We the People…”
We must heed the call of 2 Chronicles 7:14 and learn the lesson of the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25) before our governor, our elected officials and our own inaction, bring tremendous suffering to the “kingdom” of Illinois and beyond.
God has given us freedom. In the parable, the do-nothing servant buried what he was given and was called “wicked and slothful.” Jesus clearly teaches that He expects us to use what He has given us to bring about a return. The practice of our faith requires action and interaction, if we are to mimic the “good and faithful servant” who was commended by our Lord. People of faith require the opportunity to provide for their families, churches and charities. They must interact in fellowship with those they serve and serve with. It’s not okay to delegate this activity to the government or to leave it undone.
Sadly, I think I hear God’s Word, crackling in the fireplace. I see shadowy, shivering forms in our state capital. Encouragingly, I also see an Appeal to Heaven flag rising and hear the voice of Jesus telling the parable once again.
Do we get a shovel and in fear, bury our freedom in the sand? God forbid! Do we thoughtfully get back to work and go about our Father’s business? I hope we’ll pass this test.
