Somehow over the years I became a news junkie.
The first thing I do after making coffee is check my email. Then I quickly look at Facebook… no posting, just a quick glance to see what everyone is up to. Next I go to The Drudge Report, where I proceed to spend the next 30 minutes disturbing my soul with stories of global debt problems, failed politics, terrorist threats, etc.
After that I spend time in the God's word and praying.
God called me out on this. One of my favorite bloggers essentially said “If you are watching more than praying, stop watching and start praying.”
But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase. Daniel 12:4
Our enemy, “The Prince of the Power of the Air”, has a sneaky way of hindering our walk. He gets our hearts and minds accelerated at the same pace as the news cycle. We think we are being informed, but instead we end up addicted to the sensational quality of our chosen news delivery system. Hurricanes, earthquakes, bombings… what are the talking heads serving us today? This kind of agitated state is in direct opposition to the peace of mind we need and that God desires for us.
Another example of Satan’s use of acceleration: Remember when he tempted Jesus in the wilderness? All three tests were attempts to rush Jesus into having something prematurely. In just one more day he could have bread. In three years He would know what happens when the Son of God faces physical death. And one day He will stand on Mount Zion as King over the entire world.
Back to the trouble with being news-driven. As the pace of worldwide turmoil increases, so does lawlessness. In Matthew 24:12-13 Jesus said:
And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
And in Second Peter 2:7-8:
Righteous Lot was greatly distressed by the conduct of the wicked (for as that righteous man lived among them day after day, he was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard)
People who love God and share his character should be affected by the corruption in the world. But the enemy succeeds when our focus is shifted away from Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.
Weaning myself from being caught up in the news cycle caused another passage to come to mind. From Psalm 131:
O LORD, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, hope in the LORD from this time forth and forevermore.
Let’s break this down:
O LORD, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high;
Humble yourself in the presence of Jesus.
I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me.
There is no heavenly reward for understanding international economy and politics.
But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother;
In God’s presence we are like 3-year-olds. We can walk and talk a little bit. We can feed ourselves. We get cranky when we are tired. We also get upset over the silliest things. But most important, in His presence we have no cares, and no anxieties. There is nothing required of us but to be there with Him.
Like a weaned child is my soul within me.
It is enough for Him that we simply relax into his arms.
How do you quiet your soul?
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30
