Lately, the standard of behavioral expectations has been shifting dramatically. Buildings are limited to about half their normal seating capacity, masks abound, and I will not bat an eye if gloves and goggles come next. We are living in a paranoid society. Whether that paranoia is warranted is not the point. It exists and will not soon vanish. As I consider the quickly changing directions for the public, I am thankful I do not rely on our culture as a foundation for my purpose in life, nor as a baseline for my morality.
James 1:16-17 says, “Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.” God, as presented in the Scriptures, remains the same always. His character never brings about a surprise twist, and in His actions, there is no hidden agenda. He is our gracious and loving Creator (Gen. 1:1). He is our Savior (John 1:1, 14, 29). Everything He does is truly for our good (Heb. 12:10). God has given humankind every reason to trust Him. Peace and stability are found by those who live according to His instructions for life.
Governing officials are only human. They make mistakes, they have flawed character, they are often self-centered and lacking in compassion. Rather than using unpredictable elections and flawed leaders as the guides for your life, allow God to direct you in what is genuinely good. Cling to righteousness as described in His Word and find peace in knowing the foundation for your life will never change, and the chaos of the world will pass by as you continue living with divinely provided stability.
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock.” -Matthew 7:24–25