Rejecting Kingdoms of This World
Augustine stood by the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. He had heard of the hordes of barbarians that were moving as a juggernaut against Rome and the empire. The reports were ominous and foreboding, lending little reason for hope of the survival of the Roman culture.
Augustine said a prayer in three parts. In the first part, he implored God to save the empire. In the second part, he asked for grace to accept the destruction of civilization as he knew it, if that should be the will of Providence. In the third part, he asked that in either case he might be permitted soon to die and enter his eternal rest.
Permanence and security cannot be found in the structures of man. Concrete crumbles. Glass shatters. Steel melts. When God says “No!” the cities and kingdoms of men come to ruin. God simply will not tolerate man’s quest for autonomy—his lust for idols of his own making. No city, no nation, no culture can survive the judgment of God.
Coram Deo
Spend some time in prayer today for your city, state, and nation.
1 comment:
Hello, I just finished reading City of God.
The church fathers found a way to write, and be with hope. Whilst sitting in prisons, waiting for their next torture session.
The red robe of the priests represent the blood of the martyrs.
The splash of holy water on your face, each Sunday, represents the splash of the plasma from Christ's lung as the Roman checked if he was dead. Scary undertones.
Finally, Augustine said that hope has two beautiful sisters: anger at what is, and righteousness to give you the power to fix what is broken.
Great book.
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