Upon Openly Offending the Lord

Scripture:
I have become a stranger to my kindred,
an alien to my mother’s children.
It is zeal for your house that has consumed me;
the insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.
Psalm 69:8-9

Observation: David is lamenting how he is treated, with insults, hate, and threats, and his only offense is obedience to the Lord. It is due to that zeal that others are against him. David knows he is not faultless - he admits he is not a blameless man and that the Lord knows his 'folly' - yet that is not at issue between himself and others. They hate him because he is obedient to the Lord, observing his will, precepts, and laws. This is the cause of his hardships.

Application: This year, my employer is dramatically over-promoting "pride month". We are having celebrations, games, and acknowledgment of the recognition of this time at every general meeting. Words like "celebrate" and "support" and "welcome" are tossed around. And I feel within myself and on behalf of other believers in the company ... emptiness, for we know this is an abomination to our Lord, yet saying so would bring swift rebuke.

We are at a point where openly offending the Lord is expected and celebrated, and obeying the Lord's commands and recognizing his word is at least marginalized. My friends and neighbors embrace lives they feel are 'above' such thoughts and opinions, and the labels they would place on any word or action that declared the Lord's truth would be 'bigotry' and 'hate' and 'injustice'.

My kindred - Americans - have so turned from the truth and love of Jesus that they interpret such truth as lies, and embrace the lies of sin with joy-filled celebrations. I am sincerely distressed and heartbroken.

Prayer: Lord, I am just one full day into the discussions that swirl on this subject, which I know must distress you. You certainly love all mankind and every person as your son and daughter, and in such you urgently desire them to know you and find faith in Jesus. Yet here we are, in a time and place where rejection of the wonderful life you have for all is expected and celebrated. How to really act during all of this, I do not know. May your love, your truth, your justice, your grace, and your will, all prevail during this time. Amen.