Different Opinions: SOAP No. 5

Scripture: Now Eli, who was very old, heard about everything his sons were doing to all Israel and how they slept with the women who served at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. So he said to them, "Why do you do such things? I hear from all the people about these wicked deeds of yours. No, my sons; it is not a good report that I hear spreading among the Lord’s people. If a man sins against another man, God may mediate for him; but if a man sins against the Lord, who will intercede for him?" His sons, however, did not listen to their father's rebuke, for it was the Lord’s will to put them to death. – 1 Samuel 2:22-25

Observation: Eli is reprimanding his sons, who (unless I am mistaken, and if I am, someone please correct me) were priests but, unfortunately, who were evil in the sight of the Lord.

Application: I have a very bad habit of trying to get people to see things my way – the correct way, naturally (haha). Some things, though, I know are wrong: abortions (Exodus 21: 22-23), premarital sex (1 Corinthians 6:16-18), homosexuality (Romans 1:26-27), etc. As I look at elections, I choose my candidate usually based on a single issue: does he (or she) support abortion? This is usually the easiest way to go, because usually one candidate supports it and the other doesn’t, and I just cannot fathom voting for someone who openly supports abortion. And, yes, I know there are other very important issues to consider as well, but, really, most of the time, if I determine who is pro-life and who is not, the candidate who is pro-life usually agrees with me on many other issues, too.

This presidential election has gotten everybody in an uproar. I’ve heard everything from Obama is a rock star (which is seen as positive) to Obama is the anti-Christ. And you all know that my “favorite” thing to do is worry, so why wouldn’t I be concerned about this election?

Concern is the key word. I am concerned about the direction our country is headed. I am not worried, though.

But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, and will be secure, without fear of evil. -- Proverbs 1:33

TA DA!!

Some people’s minds are just not going to be changed, like Eli’s sons. We cannot see nor fathom God's will or how the future will turn out, but we can pray for them and for our country. However, we cannot make people with different values and opinions think the way we do.

If my people, who are called by my name, will 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

And, really, that’s all we can hope for.

Prayer: Lord, you know how frustrated I become when I cannot make people see things my way. I just don’t understand how people can read some lines in Your word and not understand how bad our world has become. I can’t understand why people see some atrocities and consider them just a simple “choice.” It goes far beyond that. Please bring our nation closer to You.