The Spiritual Dimension of World Events

Psalm 113 reminds us that the Lord is exalted - high - above all the nations:
2 Blessed be the name of the Lord From this time forth and forevermore!
3 From the rising of the sun to its going down The Lord's name is to be praised.
4 The Lord is high above all nations, His glory above the heavens.

When we see world leaders talking about their agendas, standing before other nations as they did last week at the United Nations, we have to remember that the Lord is involved in orchestrating world events, and as we read Biblical prophecy, we recognize that He is ultimately in control of world events.   And, the Bible teaches that these leaders, no matter how dictatorial or diabolical, have been allowed to reign by the hand of the ultimate Judge, the King of Kings, who raises us leaders and deposes them - there's a bigger picture.
2nd Corinthians 10 reminds us that we live in a world where there are spiritual forces at work, and we have to be diligent to discern what may be taking place around us:
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,

We are called to be spiritual people.  If our faith is central to our thoughts and actions, we will behave in a manner consistent with what we believe.

There is a "bigger picture", if you will, and it involves an unseen realm where there are forces at work - for instance, we know that temptation will come, and we have to see it, recognize when it is coming, and take the necessary steps, through God's word, to resist it.     We will have errant thoughts that will enter our minds, and we have to use the standard of the Word of God to determine if we are to accept our reject that thought.   The concept of discernment involves "seeing through spiritual eyes", and recognizing that the world of the flesh or the senses is not all there is.

In 1st Corinthians 2, Paul outlines the difference between the natural and the spiritual - even though we possess natural bodies, I believe God calls us to view the circumstances of lives through a spiritual prism, seeing with spiritual eyes, and discerning the challenges and opportunities of life through God's perspective.

We live in a world where faith and religious practice are incredibly important, even concerning public policy.

A breathtaking array of speeches by world leaders has been on display at the United Nations this week.  Early in the week, in what may be his last address to the world body, Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad outlined Islamic eschatology and the way it drives that country's foreign policy.   From Joel Rosenberg's Flash Traffic blog:

Ahmadinejad told the leaders of the world gathered in Manhattan that he had come this time “to voice the divine and humanitarian message…to you and to the whole world.”

“God Almighty has promised us a man of kindness, a man who loves people and loves  absolute justice, a man who is a perfect human being and is named Imam Al-Mahdi,  a man who will come in the company of Jesus Christ, peace be upon Him, and the righteous,” he said. Calling the Mahdi “the Ultimate Savior,” Ahmadinejad said his arrival on earth “will mark a new beginning, a rebirth and a  resurrection. It will be the beginning of peace, lasting security and genuine life.”

How does this come to be - according to Rosenberg:

Islamic theologians say Muslim political leaders today are supposed to set into motion the annihilation of Judeo-Christian civilization as we know it and create the conditions of chaos and carnage to hasten the arrival of the Twelfth Imam. Then the Mahdi is supposed to turn all these wars and killings to his advantage and establish justice and peace.

There is a heavily religious dimension to what we see transpiring in the world today.   Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recognizes it:

“Iran’s apocalyptic leaders believe that a medieval holy man will reappear in the wake of a devastating Holy War, thereby ensuring that their brand of radical Islam will rule the earth. That’s not just what they believe. That’s what is actually guiding their policies and their actions.”

And, Mohamed Morsi, the new President of Egypt, member of the Muslim Brotherhood, which supports a worldwide caliphate and dominance by Islam said, according to the Christian Post:

Morsi, who repeatedly referred to himself as the "first, democratically elected, civilian president of Egypt," said his country respects freedom of expression, but "one that is not used to incite hatred against anyone, one that is not directed toward one specific religion or cult."

Yemen President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi, seconded Morsi. "There should be limits for the freedom of expression, especially if such freedom blasphemes the beliefs of nations and defames their figures," he said.

There is even a move for so-called blasphemy laws to be implemented by the United Nations - but, you have to be concerned with who will determine what is or isn't considered blasphemy.

So, such topics as the theology of Islam and the treatment of Islam were on full display.     One cheaply-made film that presumably denigrates Mohammed is purported to be a catalyst for global unrest.   But, there is a bigger picture centered around the importance of religion in the lives of people around the world - and, I think our leaders need the wisdom to recognize and understand the dynamics of religion worldwide and even here in America, where Liberty Institute and the Family Research Council have outlined over 600 examples of religious hostility, municipalities are regularly attempting to inhibit the practice of faith by using zoning ordinances and building codes, and dozens of religious institutions are suing the Federal government because it is attempting to force them to fund products that violate their deeply-held faith beliefs.

Not only is our faith important, but it is foundational to the functioning of society.   We can't discount the faith element, and discern that there are spiritual forces at work - on a large scale, and in our individual lives.   There are challenges that may confront us every single day, and we have to utilize the power of God and the tools that He's given us, making sure that we are appropriating His spiritual armor.