Left or Right?

 

Ha! Gotcha! 

No, this is not a political post, well maybe a little bit. But read on!

 I was reading Psalm 9 this morning. I often search for a word that really sticks out to me while reading scripture. I love to let the Holy Spirit take me where it will and today the word that caught my attention was “FAIRNESS.” It came up in two different verses:

“My enemies retreated; they staggered and died when you appeared. For you have judged in my favor; from your throne you have judged with fairness.” (Psalm 9:3,4)

“But the Lord reigns forever, executing judgment from his throne. He will judge the world with justice and rule the nations with fairness.” (Psalm 9:7,8)

When I was thinking about FAIRNESS my mind went to politics and for some reason it drifted to the political definitions of left and right. These opposing viewpoints have a completely different views of fairness. They both have a different view of justice and righteousness. 

In practical terms, the “political left and right” were first established during the French Revolution. The left were for Revolution against the King and the right wanted to maintain the status quo. In the legislative body they sat with those that were like minded and they got the name “right” and “left” because of where they were sitting. Ha! It makes perfect sense. From that point on the terms left and right were used to describe opposing view points particularly in politics. As an example, when Israel gave his blessing in Genesis 48 he placed his right hand upon the younger Ephraim to symbolize who was to get the blessing, the left hand symbolized the lesser child, Manasseh. The right was good and the left was bad. I hope it is obvious that the use of the terms left and right in the Bible are in no way connected to the political use of those terms.

Back to my original thoughts. 

So who gets to determine what is right and what is not? Is that determination only connected to who is in power politically? Fairness is often viewed from our personal vantage point. What is it that helps me? In verse 3 & 4 in this Psalm, it appears David claims that since God judged in his favor it was fair. But later in the Psalm we find that real fairness is only determined by God. He is the ultimate judge and delivers real  justice. We can only be on the side “FAIRNESS” if we are on God’s side. God is not on one political side or another. He is establishes righteousness, justice, and fairness.

Fairness is not determined by political ideology, whether we are left or right in the political spectrum. Fairness is only determined through the eyes of the Lord and he will judge with fairness and righteousness regardless what we think. 

That is the reason, I have abandon political talk, commitment to the right or the left, identification with Republican or Democrat, or even views of Christian Nationalism are not a part of my life. Politics get in the way of serving the Lord, seeking the lost, and helping ALL people draw closer to the Lord. Is God only searching for the lost on YOUR side of the political spectrum. When you share your political viewpoints on social media, you are eliminating your ability to witness to at least half the people in our country. Yes, I have strongly held beliefs that often clash with one side of the political spectrum or another. My heart aches when I see the miscarriage of justice, oppression, and hate. My heart aches for many people on the right and the left. My heart aches when people claim a political viewpoint that strongly opposes the righteousness and justice of the Lord. BUT, I am only committed to the Lord. I am NOT committed to a political leader or a party. My allegiance is to the only hope we really have. I am dedicated only to the Savior of the World, the Lord Jesus Christ!