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FIRST-PERSON: What can the righteous do?

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ATLANTA (BP)–David knew perilous times!

Over and over again he saw the enemies of God’s people coming against them to destroy them. He personally experienced severe opposition. In Psalm 11:3 he expressed these moments with a serious question: “… if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?”

This is a question each of us must face, and we must face it together. It seems that so much is targeted toward God’s people and all that we stand for in these perilous days: the family is under attack, the use of the name of God in public is often prohibited; even the mention of Jesus in public meetings is oftentimes banned with anger and bitterness. The values we cherished for centuries are now ridiculed and rejected. Every form of media seems to be used against our faith and the convictions we hold dear.

The future looks bleak, so we too ask: “… when the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?”

There are several things we can do. We can courageously speak up. We can confidently stand up. We can walk in strong faith as those described in Hebrews 11.

We can personally, and with others, pray earnestly to God, who always hears and answers and delivers His people. And we can, like the persecuted churches of the New Testament, walk together with “one heart and one mind” (Acts 2:1). God Himself indwelt them, and though they were severely persecuted by the world around them, God was able to turn the Roman Empire upside down through them.

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These are days in which God’s people are to be of one accord. Politics are not our means to stabilize our nation, though we must vote when the occasion is given. Our strength is in the Lord, who has always defeated completely any enemy of His people, provided His people were walking in righteousness with Him.

His name is at stake in His people, and He always protects His name. In the workplace, God’s people must be “salt” and “light.” Our lives must be holy, transparent and real. The “fruit of the Spirit” and real God-love must be seen, experienced and believed by a watching world around us. Our families must be as God intended. Our churches must walk in love with one another, with one heart, one mind and one soul.

And the world around us must see the salvation of God in us (Luke 3:6). We must not only share the greatness of God’s salvation with words, we must live it before them! The best witness is changed lives from God’s presence and power in our daily lives. And it is the most believable! Our changed lives must be so attractive that others will want to know and experience the God we serve. Then their lives will be changed, and ultimately that process will affect decisions being made in this country. The culture will then return to higher values.

We must never “grow weary of doing good” (2 Thessalonians 3:13), and the exhortation of the Apostle Paul to the often suffering people of God in his day must now be lived out by us:

“… let the peace of God rule in your hearts”

“… let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly”

“… and whatever you do in word or deed do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:15-17).
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To find out more about Dr. Blackaby’s ministry and travel schedule visit his website at www.blackaby.org, or contact him at Blackaby Ministries International, P.O. Box 16338, Atlanta, GA 30321; (404) 362-9500.