Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

That this would be the passage for today shows God’s foreknowledge and perfect plan. This is one of the most famous verses in the whole Bible, yet God is speaking it to me again right now, because I need it. As God spoke to me personally many years ago, there are many things in the world that are not as He would prefer them to be. He would like every human being to choose repentance and faith, to strive to live according to His Word, but that is certainly not how it is. He would like people to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, trusting Him and allowing Him to use them for blessing and for His glory, but that is clearly not the current situation. As I write this, the US presidential election is not yet decided. Whichever way it goes, the fact that so many Americans would choose to be on the side of a party that openly and actively campaigns for the “right” to rip babies apart in the womb is deeply disturbing and depressing. It is no surprise that that same party would be actively suppressing churches and promoting anarchy in the streets. America needs massive repentance and revival, but that isn’t something we can generate. For too many years the average “person in the pew” has gone with the flow, much like the proverbial frog in a pot of water. There has been no statistical difference between the average “Christian” and anyone else, and we are reaping the harvest of that. This verse, then, assures us that God can and will use even this horrible situation for good, if we will keep our eyes on Him. At the very least, it is clear that this is waking up many believers, causing them to see the depth and magnitude of the situation. Repentance and cleansing begins with the family of God. (1 Peter 4:17) This could well be part of what is written in Revelation, but in any case it is a picture of the dire situation of the nation, and God’s children need to respond appropriately.

As I comment from time to time, I didn’t use to be particularly political, but that has changed more and more over the past couple of decades. I have been very emotionally involved in the current election, encouraged by those who seemed so enthusiastically “on my side” and distressed by those dug in in opposition. I found myself depressed yesterday (Japan is currently 14 hours ahead of the US East Coast) to see state after state turning blue, and not just states like New York, California, and Oregon that have been “poster children” for leftist ideology. It is interesting that it would be of such concern to me, when I don’t expect to do more than visit the US occasionally for the rest of my physical life, but I really do care about America, and not just because I have so many relatives and friends there. That my passport says USA is essentially beside the point. Today’s reading is spot on to call me back to the awareness that even things on a national scale, like this election, are “small potatoes” compared to God. I need to lift my eyes, not just from myself but from the world as a whole, and fix them on my Lord, who loved me enough to die for me and who has the perfect plan for me. (Hebrews 12:2)

Father, thank You for this reminder. I indeed needed it. I haven’t checked on the election results yet this morning, but thank You for being God regardless. There were other things that disappointed me yesterday and got me down. Thank You for those, too. I ask for Your solution to each of those situations, whether it is what I had desired or not. May I indeed seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness all the time, and not just in “devotional moments,” so that I will be fully available and responsive to You, for Your will to be done for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!