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News! We are inundated with news. Not too many years ago, we saw news broadcasts only once or twice a day on our televisions. Now, we can tune into news stations that broadcast news around the clock! It used to be that only matters of crucial importance were deemed as worthy of being referred to as "breaking news," and now, on those 24 hour news networks, there is always some breaking news that, for the most part, doesn't turn out to be worthy of the term "breaking news" at all. We are news saturated - so much news that we get lost in the details.
I, personally, am a fan of the Fox News Network. Every morning, I get my cup of coffee and sit down with Steve, Brian and Gretchen. Teresa and I sit together and listen to about 45 minutes of the morning show - hoping to catch up on anything of importance that happened overnight while we slept. There are those occasions when something of great magnitude has happened during our sleeping hours, but that is very rare. Usually, they are rehashing what they were talking about the day before, and the before, and the day before, ad infinitum, ad nauseum. And, of course, for the past few months, most of the news has centered around the current presidential race.
As I sat here this morning, pondering what I heard as I once again gave 45 minutes of my day to today's "breaking news," I asked myself a probing question: "Self," I said, "just what did you learn from your expenditure of time today? Did Steve, or Brian, or Gretchen, or any of their guests share any earth-shattering revelation that made you sit up, take notice, and say, 'Wow! Did you hear that?'" And I have to admit, it just didn't happen. And, I have to also admit, it rarely happens. On most mornings, my 45 minute expenditure of time is nothing but a waste.
Now please don't misunderstand my ramblings. I am not saying that watching a news broadcast is a total waste of time. I do want to stay abreast of what is happening in the world. At this crucial juncture in our nation's history, I do want to be informed as to the projected plans of our presidential candidates. I do want to know as much as possible about local elections, so I can cast a well-informed, intelligent vote. And yes, I do want to know what the weather prognosticators are saying about this weekend's weather!
But, could I not do that a little more efficiently? Now, I realize that my 45 minute morning routine is nothing compared to some who have become addicted to the news channels, and can't seem to drag themselves away, in fear they might miss out on the "big breaking news event of the century."
Well, I am convinced that what the world needs to be reminded of is the "biggest breaking news event of all time." In the midst of the social, political, economical turmoil of our day, the news the world really needs to hear is that all of this was predicted long ago. Jesus Christ told His followers that there would come days of turmoil. Wickedness would abound. Confusion would be the norm of the day, as everyone tried to do things their own way. He said there would be animosity between nations, between kingdoms, families, and, yes, even between family members. It would not be a matter of Republican/Democratic/Libertarian/Independent idealogy. It would be a matter of much greater magnitude than that. It would not be a matter of who is going to rule the nation, but it would be a matter of whom the nation would submit to.
The psalmist, in Psalm 33:12, said, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord." We need desperately to seek God's guidance for our nation. We need to pray for those who hold offices which empower them to make decisions which affect the American people. We need to pray that God would do a work of renewal and revival - beginning in the church - which would result in our nation once again being one whose trust is in God.
And, we as Christians, should understand that whoever happens to be in the White House should not be viewed as the one who will bring about restoration to our nation. That can only happen by the power of God, and that will only happen when God's people turn back to Him in repentance and faith.
And that, my friend, is the breaking news of the day!
