Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Rejoice!


So we have come to this momentous time in the history of our country. I've been thinking for a couple of days about what to say, and nothing has seemed appropriate or right. But I can't let this day go by without saying something. I just cannot let this day before noon go by without saying how terribly I will miss the man who has been my President this past eight years. He's like a family member, sometimes frustrating and/or irritating me as family members often do, even though we love them. I'm very thankful for his service to us all, even to those who speak so ill of him. So it's hard. And I have to look to the future and pray for those coming in. I must, because it's what the Lord would have us do. And in the meantime, I'm going to pray for my own heart and do my best to be a good citizen in whatever way possible.

May I exhort all of us to pray diligently for our nation and for those who will now be in leadership? It's the will of the Lord that we do, you know.

But mainly I want to say to all of us that we should rejoice because the same One who has always ruled is still on the throne. And we worship Him alone. No earthly ruler--only Jesus. So rejoice today and in the days to come.

Rejoice, the Lord is King:
Your Lord and King adore;
Rejoice, give thanks and sing,
And triumph evermore:

Jesus, the Saviour reigns,
The God of truth and love;
When he had purged our stains
He took his seat above:

His kingdom cannot fail,
He rules o'er earth and heav'n;
The keys of death and hell
Are to our Jesus giv'n:

He sits at God's right hand
Till all his foes submit,
And bow to his command
And fall beneath his feet:

Lift up your heart, lift up your voice!
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

~ Charles Wesley


17 comments:

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

Good Morning!

This is my first visit to your place and I have not yet had a chance to look at your previous posts. But I just had to comment on this post as you so graciously put into words my sentiments about today. I will stop back when I can visit a little longer.

Kindly, ldh

Susan said...

Amen and Amen!!!

Praying for our nation, our new President and his family.

Praying for God's protection over our nation and giving thanks for all He has done.

A day to rejoice!!!!!

sparrow's song said...

I've been praying and will continue because to do otherwise would be to wish ill on my own family and neighbors. God is still sovereign no matter the situation regardless of past mistakes or future ones. If I've learned anything it's that only God is able to fully keep His word or promises. Bless God for His sovereign hand in all things.

Eyes to Christ. That's my main focus.

Brenda said...

Yes, I give thanks for the President as we are instructed to do. I will pray that he come to know the Lord and will humble himself so that he can be guided by the Truth.
God bless,
Brenda

Cathy said...

A very sweet post, Maxine ~
And the hymn was great.

Susan said...

Such good words as always, Maxine. I know many of us are, and have been praying for the president elect even before today. As good citizens of both the U.S. and as children of God we must. I, like many, am also watching with a very open and alert eye and ear. We need to have eyes to see and ears to hear what the Spirit of the Lord is saying to us.
Susan

kris said...

Thanks, Maxine, for putting everything so nicely. And I needed the reminder of that hymn! I too was reminded this morning that if I do not pray for our President and leaders, then I am not obeying Scripture. It's God's job to direct leaders, to take care of the future, etc. My job is only to be obedient.

Linda said...

Maxine, I think your post says it all perfectly. The one foundational thing in all of this is remembering that the Lord is absolutely in control. I join you in praying for our new President and for our country.

Patti said...

A hearty AMEN!! I love President Bush and will miss him very much. I pray that God blesses him abundantly in the years to come.

On the other hand, I did not vote for President Obama, but my God, who is changeless and in control of ALL things, put him in office. And, therefore, he is worthy of my respect. With that in mind, I took my NOBAMA bumper sticker off my car today. I do not want to be disrespectful or antagonistic toward the man God has over me. I will pray diligently for the President Obama and his family, most especially that he would seek the Lord in all that he does and that he would seek to lead this nation in righteousness...for only then will we be a truly blessed nation.

The inauguration parade was beautiful. Gorgeous blue sky (which, by the way, I haven't seen in weeks, as it is nearly always gray here in the winter months), all those gorgeous flags, and all those historical buildings. Truly a beautiful sight! How proud I am to be an American.

even more, though, it was a beautiful coming together of black and white. White people cheering a black president...wow, what a beautiful sight to see.

Blessings,
Patti

Debra said...

Amen, and I could not agree more.

Anonymous said...

For anyone interested, mrsrabe.blogspot.com has posted a beautiful photo of Pres. & Mrs. Bush as well as 2 links to Pres. Bush's accomplishments during his first and second terms.

Maxine said...

Thanks so much for that link, Barb. I went there and left a comment. Think I'll send the link to a few other folks who might appreciate it.

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

Excellent post! You said exactly what I was thinking yesterday!

Thanks for your visit to my blog!

Blessings!

Denise said...

Oh I so loved what you had to say ... I too feel a bit undone with GWB leaving and going home.. It is like I am not safe anymore.. I so loved that man and feel such a loss....... I did not watch the TV Tuesday at all, it is not that I have anything against our new President it is just that I felt so safe before...... I like you need to pray that God will help my heart and that I will come to the place that I will pray for our new President........ I am super Conservative and I know that there is a movement coming that will move us further from the Father God.. BUT I know that HE is in control and HE never alters HIS plan....... I love my country...... I pray for my country...

Sara said...

Wonderful post Mrs. R! It's hard to pray for those in leadership who are ungodly, yet this is what God has commanded us to do. Thank you for posting that hymn- it is so beautiful and fitting!

Tanya said...

Well said. Beautiful.

LisaShaw said...

Praying with you...


Your Grand babies are adorable! I have two also. Layla and Rhianna.

Bless you my new friend.