It is January 23, 2019, the 33rd day of a government shutdown, with no breakthrough in sight.  Those in authority and charged with the well-being of America are at war with each other. In this blog, I will not discuss the reason for the war, but I do want to discuss the result. The American citizens are suffering.

Some of the consequences of those in power and authority being unable to agree on American policies is as follows:

  • 800,000 federal employees have been furloughed or told to work without pay. Some of the agencies involved are The Federal Aviation Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, and the Securities & Exchange Commission, National Weather Service, and Fish and Wildlife Service. Coastguards, federal law enforcement and correctional officers, National zoo workers, the Smithsonian museum’s workers, NASA and IRS staffers, and air controllers are affected.
  • Food stamps and housing subsidies may be delayed.
  • Many are facing home foreclosures, car repossessions, and choosing between medicine or utilities.
  • Because the government meal reimbursement is in danger of running out of funds, some school districts are reducing children’s lunches (removing bottled water and juice and reducing fruit and vegetables) trying to conserve food and funding.
  • Approximately 42,000 immigration court hearings have been pushed back or canceled.

What can we, the American Citizens, do to help? Some churches and families are collecting donations to help affected members with the essentials – housing, food, and medicine. Invite a hurting family over for dinner, donate a bag of groceries, or donate funds to a food bank. Offer rides to those who do not have gas money or offer to babysit so that they can go find help. In addition, we can and must follow the wisdom of the Bible:

  1. First, we citizens must repent for not being vigilant, informed, and prayerful when we voted the present government officials into office. God promises He will hear and forgive us.  2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV) – If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
  2. Second, even though each political party thinks their position is absolutely right, we must realize that God has the ability to turn the hearts of our government officials in any direction He desires to accomplish His holy purposes. Proverbs 21:1-2 (KJV) – The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.  Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the Lord pondereth the hearts.
  3. Third, understanding that God can change the hearts of those who are in authority over us, we must fervently pray for them. 1 Timothy 2:1-3 (NIV) – I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good and pleases God our Savior.

“May we be faithful, informed and thoughtful when praying … as we ask for God’s wisdom and righteousness to be evident in our nation’s policies and leaders” (Jason Soroski, Crosswalk.com).

How can and will you help those hurting from this present government shutdown?  Share your wisdom.

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