Hope is More than Faith, It is Prayer and Action
by Stephen Frank
Hebrews 10:23 says, Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. Hope, combined with faith, brings us through the tough times. For months, we have suffered through the coronavirus; we went through the government actions that closed down jobs, education and businesses; we have been forced to be isolated, divided from family, friends and co-workers. Then, as we were seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, we had protests that morphed into riots, looting, vandalism and thousands of business harmed and destroyed nationwide.
One after another, the tragedies of government and life have put many into a depression. It is like a boxer getting hit and unable to have a defense. But, in fact, we do have a defense—it is hope.
Many are they who say of me, "There is no help for him in God." Selah
But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head.
I cried to the Lord with my voice, And He heard me from His holy hill. Selah
I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustained me.
I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people Who have set themselves against me all around.
Hope and prayer, though, is not enough. We need to take action based on our principles. For too long, we have known what is right. But for fear of ridicule, name calling, and retribution, we have been silent. Silence is no longer an option. “Get along to go along” is not the answer. Our state and nation are facing numerous challenges: economic, moral, ethical, health issues, and more.
We can no longer be afraid to use Judeo-Christian evidence of our values. Some will call us racist if we believe that all lives matter. Imagine, wanting the best for all people can be considered a negative. To me it is a matter of Biblical teaching, not ideological agenda.
For instance, Sacramento is going through the new budget while facing a $54 billion deficit. The answer, per Gov. Newsom, is to have the federal government bail us out. At the same time, the super-majority in the State Senate has decided to continue the high-speed rail, which is an economic disaster; spend more money on those in our country in violation of federal laws and a recent Supreme Court decision barring such; and the pension system is collapsing. Instead of fixing our problems to solve the deficit issue, Sacramento wants to continue them by having people in Iowa and Georgia finance California’s mixed-up priorities.
Times change. Issues change. Circumstance change. Principles and values do not change.
Our elected officials need to stand tall on the Biblical values of self-responsibility. At the same time, they can use public policy to put the reins of government back in the hands of the people. This takes leadership. As elected officials, whether on a Water District Board or in the Legislature, by using press releases, appearances on talk radio shows, writing op-ed pieces for local newspapers, speeches to community groups, or holding ZOOM type townhalls, our leaders have a podium to shape public opinion and the public response to issues—in the majority or not, these are powerful platforms.
But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.”
There is risk in being a leader. You face the fire of the media and the special interests. It takes a strong heart, hope and faith to withstand the blaze of those who believe in government, not God—and certainly not the people. I know it is not easy to be called names and have your intentions questioned and attacked wrongly. Sadly, that is the nature of the Public Square today. Real leaders, either in office or volunteers in the community, know that to obtain a victory, you need to be challenged and questioned.
Hope and faith. Prayer and hard work. The road for a worthy future.
Stephen Frank is Senior Contributing Editor of California Political Review. Read California news that is incisive, hard-hitting, and solution-oriented with a free subscription to Steve’s daily emails at http://eepurl.com/UAspv
NOTE: Blogs published on the Judeo-Christian Caucus website are the opinions of their authors and not necessarily those of the Judeo-Christian Caucus.
