March 31, 2020 Fear#15

Dear Trinity Baptist Church Family: I was reminded this morning by Pastor Matt Groll of the importance of Christians to vote. We have an election next Tuesday, April 7th. In addition to the presidential primary, this election has several important non-partisan contests: judges, school board, etc. The noisiest of these elections is our Wisconsin Supreme Court race. There is a clear choice between two very different world views.

You can still vote absentee. Go to My Vote Wisconsin to request a ballot to mail. You will need to take a picture of your I.D. and attach it to your request. I believe you need to do this today or tomorrow so you can get the letter, fill it out, and mail it back to the clerk of courts by Tuesday. Or you could still vote in person if you feel comfortable doing so.

For encouragement in these strange days, I take us to the book of Proverbs. Wisdom is speaking. She says, ““Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me. 29 Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the Lord, 30 They would have none of my counsel And despised my every rebuke. 31 Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way, And be filled to the full with their own fancies. 32 For the turning away of the simple will slay them, And the complacency of fools will destroy them;
33 But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, And will be secure, without fear of evil.” Proverbs 1:28-33

The fear of God is contrasted with evil consequences and fear of evil. Life lived by God’s wisdom is a life without fear. Wisdom focuses upon God’s directives.

Pray for our country. Pray for wisdom for political leaders, church leaders, and family leaders. Pray for this virus to be defeated soon. Pray for wisdom in responding to fear inducing circumstances.

Embracing Truth, Pastor