In these last days (God) has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word. Hebrews 1:2-3.

Do not fret – it only causes harm. Psalm 37:8.

And continuing our 351 Old Testament prophecies, promises of God, fulfilled in Jesus Christ, we come to number 79: Born the Savior. Psalm 22:9-10: Yet You are He who brought me forth from the womb; You made me trust when upon my mother’s breasts. Upon You I was cast from birth; You have been my God from my mother’s womb. And, Luke 2:7: And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Today in the United States is the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of our Independence from England, the most powerful military power at that time. Eight years of war would follow and the outcome was never certain. The beautiful words at the beginning: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” The final sentence: “And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our fortunes and our sacred Honor.” And then the opening words of the United States Constitution: “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” This was drafted in 1787.

We can’t help but think about these words and what it took to even pen them knowing their very lives were on the line if this failed. They didn’t fail. We, like every other country, have been through a lot in the history of our country and our Union is not perfect, but it is still imperfectly ongoing in the reach for every ideal expressed and hoped for. God was with us but this country is not the kingdom of God. God’s kingdom is not of this world. True justice begins in truth. When Jesus stood before Pilate who questioned what He had done to be brought before him to be condemned to death, Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.” Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” John 18:36-37. Hearing that from Jesus, Pilate could only privately ask, what is truth. The answer then and now? In these last days God has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word.

When I consider all the strife in our world in all nations and among families, including my own family, I feel momentarily undone. It becomes more than I can bear and I cannot reconcile that strife with the peace and hope I know in Creator God – Father, Son, Spirit. God’s kingdom is not of this world as evidenced by that very strife. But God’s kingdom IS and for that I am so grateful because I know that all the justice, and truth, and beauty we long for, He will bring one day to all nations.

***I NEED YOU Father, forgive me for despairing and not anticipating Your help. Open my mind and heart to recognize the stirring of Your presence and strength in my time of weakness and need. Douglas Jacoby, Amen and Amen.***

***OPENING PRAYER God of this moment, so often our bodies are in one place while our minds are somewhere else. We replay conversations from yesterday. We worry about tomorrow. We rush through today on our way to the next thing. Slow us down. Quiet the noise within us. Help us to notice Your presence in this hour, in this room, in these people, and in our own lives. Teach us to receive the gift of this day. And as we worship, help us to hear Your voice, see Your grace, and recognize the holy moments that are already all around us. And when our minds start to race again, bring us back to the present. Connection UMC, Pastor Darren Mayberry Wright. 2026.***