What does "Sanford and Son" have to do with Psalm 2:1-3?

3/21/2019

Psalm 2: 1-3
Why do the nations conspire and the people plot in vain?
The Kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One.
“Let us break their chains,” they say, “and throw off their fetters.”

The United States was founded on an idea of religious freedom and yet lately we are finding that there are cases of discriminatory practices against faith based ideology, more specifically of the Christian faith. How are we, the Christian Church, to respond? How have we treated others in the past? I would submit, just as other faith groups have, we may have responded to others in a terrible way. The vision that I have is that of Aunt Esther of the 1970’s sitcom, Sanford and Son. Aunt Esther as a metaphor for the church, chasing Fred around-beating him up with the bible. I can see the Church doing that in the past in the name of evangelism. Rather than exemplifying the model of the “Good Samaritan” – we have taken the mantel of an evangelist (doing) verses “being” the good Samaritan. I don’t necessarily see a total problem with that, but I wonder if the model of the “good Samaritan” would have been a better way to represent Christ? I am speaking in general, overall, in terms of the church. I know that is not always the case and that the Church has done well and we also have not done so well. So, how are we to respond to the nations (people) when they are against God? I would submit that we follow what Peter had written in 1 Peter 1, to respond with self-control. Read 1 Peter 1.

To draw closer to God, please reflect on the following questions:

What negative attitudes have you had about God, Jesus?
What negative attitudes have you had about others who don’t know God and “conspire” against him?
What concerns you the most about your government’s attitude towards God?

The prayer for today:
Heavenly Father, please give me an understanding of your character; of your holiness and majesty. Give me a greater understanding of what it means to be a "good Samaritan." Forgive me for my attitude towards you and my Savior, Jesus. Renew a right spirit within me. Give me the strength to represent you to the nations, whether they like you or not. I ask that you forgive my country and their attitude towards you. Send a revival to my heart, my city, state, and to my country. Make yourself known to my leaders, locally and nationally, guide them as they lead our nation. In Jesus name, Amen.

© Dan Kinjorski

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Author

Dan is in a second career, that of Counselor, but he is a pastor at heart. He desires to present the Word of God in its context and then challenge the reader in its application to our lives. It is the Word of God that brings revival to our souls. The psalmist writes, "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock, and my Redeemer.

Dan and Maribel Kinjorski

Dan and Maribel are Bible Teachers. They love to expound on the Word of God. Maribel has been involved in Church since an early age. A graduate of the University of San German, Puerto Rico, in Business Administration and Economy. Dan is a graduate of East Coast Bible College (now shuttered) and the Pentecostal Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity (1999) , Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (2019), and now working on a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology: Counseling Education and Supervision.
Maribel Pastored Lilly of the Valley, Church of God, a Hispanic Community in Medford, Oregon. Dan Pastored, at the same time, Family Life Church, Medford, Oregon. They both were each other's assistant in their perspective communities. Dan and Maribel were able to bring together an English speaking, Spanish speaking, and a Deaf (non-hearing) community as "one" in community.
While serving in the military, Dan spent his last 13 years as an Army Chaplain, previously enlisted for seven years as a Communication Specialist. As an Army Chaplain, Dan often pastored Chapel Services ranging from the Gospel Service, General Protestant Service, to an Assembly of God Samoan Chapel Service at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Meanwhile, Maribel supported her husband and often found herself assisting in the Family Readiness Groups when Dan deployed to Iraq or the Middle East (Kuwait) and also working with the Protestant Women of the Chapel. Dan and Maribel are proud parents of David (and Megan) with Olive (2nd grand); Michelle (and Street Wise Hercules) with Lilly (1st grand) and soon to be MJ, (3rd grand).