October 20, 2020 | Dan Low

As our church engages in 40 days of prayer/fasting, we approach God convinced that he rules over our nation. Proverbs 21:1 paints a vivid picture of where real power lies: “In the LORD’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him.”

What a perfect and timely reminder! Although we proudly identify our nation as the United States of America, we shamefully recognize that we are so deeply divided on multiple levels—politically, racially, economically, and spiritually. With the pandemic always in view, we could easily act and react like everyone else. Worry. Attack. Blame. Dismiss. The good news: We can be totally different because we are totally different.

Confident in his accomplished past, yet plagued by an anxious present with an uncertain future, the apostle Paul anchors a robust faith in our ultimate status as believers. In contrast to those who merely preoccupy themselves with earthly stuff, we rejoice in our identity as citizens of heaven on earth (Philippians 3:20). When God saves us by his grace through our faith in Jesus, he adopts us into his family. As members of God’s kingdom, we embrace a new standard for life.

Being citizens of heaven on earth means trusting in God to protect our hearts. So while there seems to be endless madness, we turn our concerns into conversations with our loving Father. Being citizens of heaven on earth also means concentrating on God to purify our minds. Bombarded by lies disguised as truth, we resolve to think about and practice those things that are true, honorable, and just. When the world sees us living as citizens of heaven on earth, they will long to become a member of God’s kingdom.