Talk politics?  Let’s not and say we did!  At our last church, my wife and I make it crystal clear that political infighting happens outside the church walls, and hopefully not even there.  Within?  No way.  Just nip it.  Issues that affect biblical teaching?  A different matter entirely.  But no way should mean-spirited partisanship rear its ugly head, dividing believers one from another.  At least we give it the ‘old college try’.

Each year I read the Book of Proverbs.  Recently one verse grabs me by the sleeves and says ‘look at me’.  So I do.  Proverbs 29: 16–‘When the wicked thrive, so does sin, but the righteous will see their downfall.’  Let’s do some unpacking.

Not so encouraging for scuzzy low-lives.  Not at all.  For it’s always true–sin multiplies like rabbits; likewise, infecting everything, everyone, everywhere.  Evil, out of control, taking control.  Hell on earth with nowhere to hide.  Like a sitting duck rifled with unsavory consequences.  Terrors reign when the wicked thrive.

Thank the Lord for the second half of verse 16–‘…but the righteous will see their downfall.’  Now, let me be the first to fess up that I’m far from righteous.  Not by a long stretch.  Just an old sinner… saved by grace.

Jesus pays the ransom price for our freedom from sin.  He alone makes us brand spanking new.  Forgiven.  Hence, we’re righteous!  For God sees His Son when He looks us in the eye.  Clear as a bell.  Clean as can be.  Only because of Jesus.  Righteous.  You understand.

Bottom line– this means that the wicked don’t thrive forever.  Down they’ll go.  Worse than Humpty-Dumpty.  All the ungodly.  No winners among them.

And that’s how believers make it through scurrilous political seasons.  Knowing that God wins.  When?  I haven’t a clue.  How He works this all out?  Your guess is as good as mine.  All we need to know, all that really matters, is…well, you get the point.  Don’t you?

Lord Jesus, we know how completely reliable you are.  Amen.