FREEDOM FROM DARKNESS

Let me be a killjoy for a while. I know, it sucks, because we're in the middle of this wonderful season of partying and eating and drinking and gift-giving. 

But as I read the bible this morning, I was struck by what Jesus said in Luke 22:53: "... but this is your hour when darkness reigns." Judas had betrayed Jesus. This became the go-ahead for the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard and for the elders to take Jesus into custody.

Read today's headlines---Death Toll from Pablo Seen to Hit 1,500; Wounded Newtown Moves from Shock to Coping with the Trauma; Deadly Car Bomb Strikes Damascus; Tens of Thousands in Paris Street for Gay Marriage. All these point to a world battered, torn and dazed. In darkness.

For millions all over the world, Christ has remained in handcuffs somehow; and Christmas is an empty but frilly celebration.

But Christmas is all about Christ coming into a dark world. How is it that more than two thousand years after his coming, the world seems more dark than ever? Did we miss something here?

Because Matthew 4:16 tells us "... the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned." 

In Luke 2:8, the shepherds who were going about their routine work at night were visited by an angel. They were terrified but the angel said to them, "DO NOT BE AFRAID, I bring you GOOD NEWS of GREAT JOY that will be for ALL THE PEOPLE! (emphasis and exclamation point mine)

You must have heard John 3:16 spoken like a broken record: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

"Believe" must be highlighted here. Ah, so those who believe in Jesus will not be lost? Even enjoy everlasting life?

Here's more: "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved---you and your household."

You want to be saved from a world that has become darker by the day? Jesus says in John 10:10, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

A life full of fear and anxiety and strife is not life at all; nor is a life that's contrary to God's design for right living. 

I remember this message which has been going round and round our emails. May I summarize his message for us: We wonder why God does not show up to save us from calamities or storms or the cruelty of other men. What kind of God would allow these things to happen? And so the faith of many grows cold. But have we really invited God into our lives? Or have we turned our backs on Him?; telling Him, "I don't want to have anything to do with you," then we worship instead our god of self, money, power, silver, gold and wood.

A nation continues to shake their fists at God by disallowing Him from their public schools and offices, even as they justify abortion, same sex marriage and materialism. Elsewhere in the world, idol worship, perversion, greed and corruption rule.

More to the point: Is God allowing calamities and tragedies in greater measure today because He wants to call our attention? That we're doing it all wrong and the only way we can be saved from our fears, is to seek Him who can calm all our storms, even snatch us out of the fire and stop the bullets, real or spiritually fired---by Satan, the prince of the power of the air, who has since the beginning of time trained his destructive powers against all mankind. 

Twinkly lights may add some glitter to our homes during Christmas. But the greater light has come upon us! If you have the Light of lights, what more can you ask for?

Kung naging mababaw ang mga Pasko mo (If your Christmases have always been shallow), you need to ask Jesus to shine His light on you. It takes a very simple, but humble and heartfelt prayer of repentance:

"Jesus, I need you to be my Savior and Lord. Forgive me for my sins. Wash me and make me clean. Come into my heart. Be my Prince of Peace, my Healer, my Provider and wonderful Counselor. I take refuge in you even as I go through tribulations. Cover me with your grace. Save me! In Your name I pray."

Tragedy or no tragedy, you are secure no matter the situation. For Jesus guards your heart with peace and promises never to leave or forsake you.  

(Photo credits: 1. andrewroebert.wordpress.com. 2. mudpreacher.org  3. mobilecause.com 4. ohio.com

RESPECTER OF HEART

Are you a classifier? I bet you, you are. We all are! 

That's what makes you and I unique versus all of creation. Man can think orderly thoughts, label them a certain way and somehow stash them in "boxes" in a forever-expanding warehouse of memories---with thought retrieval accomplished in a flash.

We classify day from night, rain from shine, sowing versus harvest, left and right.

Kaya, hiwalay kung hiwalay... ang labada. (So we separate the whites from colored laundry.) 

In my primary school days eons ago, teachers assigned their "A" students in row one, with the least thinkers in fourth row. A classmate somehow lisp-pronounced the latter as poor-row, so the label stuck with him and fourth row seaters.

Economists refer to A, B, C, D classes depending on their earning capacity and ability to amass things like houses and cars.

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Then we've somehow also gotten used to referring to people as either black , white, red, brown or yellow---spawning color denominated disputes in many countries. Apartheid, prejudice, bigotry, discrimination. We thought these were things of the past, yet color coding crimes still persist. 

In some countries, men are so biased against women that brothers would go to the extent of murdering or mutilating their sisters who stray from their expected roles as docile weaklings.

Which leads one to thinking--- is God a respecter of color, creed or gender as man so qualifies? Does He place us in boxes, playing us against each other for His approval? Is he awed by your to-die-for riches, your poverty or even your direst need? 

Is he mesmerized by your tantalizing voice every time you worship Him?

I got a stinging rebuke one Sunday. The worship leader didn't lead well. The singers sang so-so. So from worship, I lapsed into complaint mode. But the Holy Spirit wouldn't let that pass. This senior Christian needed a whack somehow. And I got it, hook line and sinker:

"I don't care if anyone is off key. I look at the heart, nothing more. 

"I'm no respecter of persons or their religion or race. I will not be moved by color of skin or narrowness of one's nose or thickness of one's lips. 

"Nor will I concern myself with what's in your bank account or whether you studied in Harvard or Juan Luna Elementary School. 

"I won't even be impressed by your good works, although I would love for everyone to do good works. But I'm after your faith alone, which if genuine, births honest-to-goodness good works---and my wanting to be involved in your life."

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"Without faith, it is impossible to please God," reminds Hebrew 11:6.

Here's the clincher: Mark 12:33--- "To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."

God is concerned with our heart alone! One look at it and He knows how judgmental, proud, lofty, or humble, gracious, forgiving we are. That's why Proverbs 4:23 cautions us to guard our heart, "for it is the wellspring of life."

Oh boy, I need to stick to classifying coloreds from whites---I mean clothes na lang!

DON'T MUZZLE JESUS

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It's that feel-good time of year again: The sights and sounds of a great festival hanging in the air. 


"Merry X-Mas!" "Season's Greetings!" Major avenues lined up with blinking lights shaped into bells, candies,stars, pointy trees, deers, teddy bears, Santa Clauses or whatever.

In most malls, Michael Jackson relentlessly reminds shoppers, "I saw mommy kissing Santa Claus,"or Bing Crosby transports us State-side as he croons "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" in an endless loop.  Children fall in line for a photo-op with the bearded jolly old man---that's Santa Claus whose image dominates most department stores' shop-windows.

And for many, it's one shopaholic event after another. Thirteenth and 14th month pays, bye-bye! Delicious "sale" signs remind us to flash the card---utang muna para walang cash out (credit instead of cash).

But while we all get excited---our malls jam-packed with harried people crescendoeing their holiday shopping sprees--- have we bothered to ask ourselves, "What's all the fuss and spending about?"

Call me corny or a killjoy, but I think the material girl (or person) in us has taken us for one big fake joyride.

If Christmas is Christ's big day, how come we're being told, "Greet people, 'Happy Holidays,' instead because to greet them 'Merry Christmas' is not politically correct." 

Companies today are careful to print their Christmas cards without the "Christ" because they've been told, "it is offensive to people from different cultures."

Whose celebration is it anyway? If Christ is the reason for Christmas, let it be "Christmas" instead of "X-Mas,"  "Jesus" instead of "Santa."

And let's not be carried away by the trimmings and glossies some have added on through the years---the obligated gift giving, the pigging-out, the rowdy parties with their rowdy dances (am sure Oppa Gangnam Style will be a big hit this year) and non-stop drinking.  

What's the real Christmas? Christ is the celebrant. Still is! It is about God's grace given to us that first Christmas day. 

Picture the original scene: One dark dreary night, shepherds woke up to see an angel before them, and they were terrified. But the glory of the Lord shone around them. The angel said, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord." (Luke 2:9-11)

The Messiah. The Savior. Great joy. Not fear or worry or lack. That's the GREAT news. And the reason for the celebration. Jesus came not only to save us from our sins but to give us eternal life; that, too, we may live abundantly! 

Without Jesus, we are dead to sin and separated forever from God. But because of Jesus, our relationship with God has been restored, along with all the blessings he has prepared for us from the beginning of time.

Could any trimming top that? Or could any attempt to muzzle the name of Christ prevent us from worshiping Him anyway, and in His way, especially during His birthday?

But it's not just about replacing the "X" with "Christ." If you truly believe in what Christ has done for you on the cross, then let's make Christ real to ourselves and our loved ones. 

"Christmas" is not a feel-good, do-good, shop-much, party-to-death season. (Do you know that this is also the time of year when a lot of people feel alone, and therefore commit suicide?)

Christmas is about acknowledging that apart from Jesus, we cannot save ourselves. So accept this gift if you haven't done so yet. 

Sincerely pray, "Jesus, thank you for coming that first Christmas day. I believe you are the Messiah, my Savior. Forgive me for my sins. Cleanse me. Come into my heart. Breathe your Holy Spirit in me that I may live free from sin. Cover me with your amazing grace. In your name I pray."

"For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)

BRAGFUL BAGFUL

Ever wonder what a bagful of dust can do?

Give it form and it becomes one bragful handful:

That's precisely what we are---dust in all its glory. Remember? God formed man from dust, breathed life into it, and behold, Adam! We were "it" before we became "he" or "she."

I initially struggled with this thought; but God's truth is inescapable, as bright as the morning light. 

I witnessed "someone" or "somebody" turn to "something" at the cremation chamber.  At our life's end, really,  what we become is just a bagful of dust forever trapped underground, an urn, or thrown into the ocean  to be lapped up by tiny phytoplanktons. 

Imagine yourself as fodder for phytoplanktons

Imagine, a once mighty hunk who used to be adored by millions, or a strongman who once controlled a nation, becomes a nano chunk of lifeless floaters for the lowliest in the food chain!

"All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return," says King Solomon in Ecclesiastes 3:20.

The richest, greatest and wisest king who ever lived---after lusting for and possessing everything he ever desired in his lifetime---one day reached a verdict: "Everything is meaningless, a chasing after the wind."

The same uh-oh-I-told-you-so conclusion we gulp down whenever we reach a dead-end, a tragic loss or death itself. I-me-and-myself-centered, one wakes up one day to the cold reality:

You're the createe and you have a creator. More to the point, without your creator's grace, you're minced meat.

Come to think of it, the most of yucky, disgusting, gross (the litany of adjectives is endless) things happening in the world today could be traced back to immense bagfuls of prideful dust asserting themselves or trying to lord it over other prideful dust clumps:


"I know better." Mine is the better alternative." "I'll have my way no matter what." "I'll be rich, never mind if I cross the line."

Seat of power or center of division and inaction?

Politicians endlessly filibuster while their governments and their governed wait with bated breath for their lives to turn the bend. 

Salaried men acquire-acquire-acquire only to see their very beds pulled from under them. 

Illicit drugs have become some economies' bread and butter, the daily snort of clueless victims across the earth. 

HIV has reached pandemic proportions, yet supposed experts look to solutions only in "safe sex" plus their incessant search for its cure, instead of promoting righteous living and a return to the truth: That John could not be Joannie, nor Paulette, Paul; or that your biographer (even if she adores you) could not be in the same bed with you (because your only bedmate is your wife).

And if I may add, global warming didn't just happen. We all made it happen!


A dust storm. That's what a lot of dust create. With wind and varying temperatures as their ally, sand in the Sahara or other drylands work up giant storms enough to suffocate life, cause diseases to spread, and even deaden agriculture due to topsoil erosion. 

My, my, some real sandstorm we've heaped upon one another! 

But God is quite patient with us, patiently gluing and molding and breaking and remolding this clayey lump of dust so that we can become vessels of honor instead of dishonor. 

In John 11:26, Jesus tells Martha, "Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die."

I am not just dirt. The real me could not be contained. Though death reduces me to a bagful, the real me will be with Jesus in heaven for eternity. What a sobering thought.

So if you think you're just fodder for lowlife planktons, rejoice. He came to set lowlifers free. 

But that's true too for the pasaway (rebellious), the basagulero (fight-monger), the bum, the self-righteous, the sex-starved, the liar, the dishonest, the corrupt. The bible lumps us all in one. 

"There is no one righteous, not even one" (Romans 3:10). Everyone's a dirt bag. 

But that shows us the breadth and depth of His love! Jesus died for all of us, that those who believe in him might not just be fodder for worms or planktons, but alive in Him forevermore--- even after our earthly life.

Jesus says, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”  (John 11:25,26)

If you believe this and have never confessed Jesus as your Lord and Savior, pray: "Father, I am a sinner. Forgive me. I confess Jesus as my Savior and Lord. Holy Spirit dwell in me and lead me. Help me to obey and do what is right according to your Word, not what the world dictates. In Jesus name, amen."

Though dust, you can now be trusted with His wisdom, and be a change agent in this dust bin of a world.

TASTE HIS BLESSINGS

abcnews.go.com

Right this moment, families in the US sit down to thanksgiving dinner, with plump, turned-juicy turkey at the center of the table. 

Never mind typhoon Sandy's recent trail of destruction, New Yorkers have taken the chance to be thankful; with leading retailer Macy's sponsoring the city's usual thanksgiving parade to lift its residents' spirits up.

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Wikipedia says that this celebration goes back to 1621 when in the Plymouth Plantation, early settlers feasted after a successful harvest, a practice institutionalized by Abraham Lincoln in 1863 as a day of "Thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens."

Thanksgiving day or not, we need to be reminded that through thick or thin---and in spite of tragedies and calamities---  thankfulness is a good thing.

So many things to be thankful for:

That hubby and I woke up this morning, not yet in rigor mortis, but still kicking and strong for whatever needs to be accomplished today and in the days to come. "I'm not through with you yet,"  He says.

Considering that Jack's eye almost became blind because of a viral infection weeks ago---and is now back to normal---wow, thanking Him is the least I could do! Miracles do come even in the care of our doctors or the medicines they prescribe. Dr. Jesus surely uses human doctors to answer our prayers.

He daily provides our food---health supplements included, clothing, house (no matter how small). This place we can really call home---if Jesus is its foundation. Because in Him is safety, love, joy, peace.

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We may in fact feast, not only on turkey or any of those expensive food, but on tuyo, saluyot or talbos ng kamote with bagoong---our mouths watering just the same! I may add  tsokolate e  (chocolate), yes Ricoa (not the imported kind), making it a treat worth its weight calories.

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I wake up each day thanking God for my grandchildren---for their good health, that they would grow up God-fearing and parent-honoring. Yes, I thank God even now for what these little ones will become when they grow up. 

I thank God everyday for giving our children wisdom so that they strive for real riches---those that have lasting value and God-glorifying---and make their families their priority even as they make a living and strive to be prosperous.

That's thanking and praying it forward.

We also thank God for using us---though we are limited by time, space and material resources---so that we can make a difference in the lives of others. Everyday is an opportunity to bless others, however small or insignificant our effort may seem. 

And lest we forget, consider nature---the heavens, the trees, the oceans. How marvelous God's creation is! Might make us a bit conscious of being judicious with our use of water or our trash disposal, and even do our bit in lessening our carbon footprint. There's just no running out of thanks or praise for God who made everything so beautiful.

Enjoy the turkey and the party, or the thanksgiving parade and its amazing paraphernalia. But don't let the glossies blur the real meaning of thanksgiving. Or don't let just the material blessings mar the significant.

Our tables may be laden with rich and delicious things. But if we fretted and complained and sulked in the process of preparing for the party, then we really didn't enjoy thanksgiving day.

Because it's not what's on the table that counts. In Exodus, the Jews had been set free from Egypt and thus became a nation. In the wilderness, God daily provided them with manna and quail and water. Their clothing and footwear never wore out. Yet they kept on complaining and so missed their joy; more importantly, a whole generation failed to reach the promised land.  

Jesus gave it all up so that we can enjoy life. "I have come that you may have life and have it to the full" (John 10:10). Another version says, "My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life."

And it's not something ethereal, it's for real! Psalm 34:8:  "Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him."

So savor that turkey! More, savor His love and faithfulness. Savor the love of your family. Thanksgiving is not really thanksgiving if we don't get to taste the blessing and direct our thanks to the real blesser. 

Oh Jesus, you really are the God of more than enough!

   

CRACKED

image: contestmob.com

Hack, a verb: to "chop, whack, mangle," per Webster's Thesaurus.

"You've been hacked!" This message, expressed in varying degrees of concern, filled my FB and email inboxes, as well as my cellphone, after friends and relations received a supposed message from me---that I was in London, trapped in some sort of predicament and needed money desperately, so could they please send some immediately. 

A few even called our landline to check if I was OK. Was I really in London or in Manila or in the US? 

Majority said they immediately dismissed the message as a hoax since we'd been in touch regularly through email and Facebook so they knew exactly where I was---in the comfort of home sweet home, probably ZZZzzzing my jetlag away.

"I was worried for some time, wondering what really happened to you," my sister-in-law Carmen said. 

Everyone's outpouring of concern---plus advice received as to how to remedy the situation---was quite heartwarming; and I thank God for all of you.

In techie parlance, "hacked" refers to one's website, address or computer system being broken into---its security safeguards compromised, so much like someone breaking into your home, ransacking and even stealing valuables from it. 

(Although wiki.answers.com says that the right term to use is "crack," so in my case, I should say, "My Yahoo account has been cracked.")

But for all the stress I went through---to change all of my internet passwords, assure everyone that I was OK, and experience migraine because of it---plus the worrying this "cracking" caused some loved ones (especially those who are not familiar with techie stuff), "hacked" could very well have been the word.

We've all, in a manner of speaking, been chopped, whacked and mangled. So what else is new? Our everyday teems with all sorts of cracking and hacking but we hardly even notice.

Flying home from the US, I found my hubby sick, needing medical attention and unable to work for sometime. Crack!

Another crack: Nowadays, I find myself waking up to no-purpose though activity-filled days. While I'd been busy in recent months---finished writing my third book, became expat Lola to new granddaughter Natalie and did seminars and ministry work besides---I now hover between thumb-tweedling and pining for my usual routine, which probably won't come any time soon. 

I suppose Jesus allows us some blah days to let us know that whether days be bland or blazing, He remains in control.

source: megamartyblogspot

Everyday, television ushers in more discouraging news into our bedroom or living room---crime, politics, corruption, poverty, war. A world of instability and dysfunction. 

The apostle Paul says (Ephesians 6:12), "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

Hacking may appear to be just a security glitz. Yes. But it is what evil-intentioned people---prompted by the  rulers of this dark age---use not only to steal our money but to put our lives in disarray and assault our joy, and thus shake our faith in God. Otherwise, why did it cause loved ones to worry, and me to fret so that I had migraine headache as a result?

Imagine an unseen parallel world where spirits hover, working double time to chop, whack and mangle us with all sorts of sensory experiences: The bad news. Our sorry state. Our dwindling finances. Our failing health and aching bodies. Etc. That's not fantasy. It's reality. 

If you're the if-I-can't-see-and-touch-it-I-won't-believe-it" kind of guy, open your eyes. 

source:freebiblestudyguides.org

2 Kings 6 recounts the story of Israel surrounded by a conquering army. The prophet Elisha's servant expressed awe of this army's might. But Elisha said, "Don’t be afraid. Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” (v.16)

Then Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes so he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (v.17) And the assaulting army was struck with blindness.

Take Psalm 34:7 to heart: "The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them." The Lord fights our battles but as "soldiers" in His army, He wants us to "put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand" (Ephesians 6:13).

Be self-controlled and alert because, "...Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8). 

The Word of God, our only weapon against hackers. Confess it. Believe it. Pray it. Live it. 

But it all starts and ends with Jesus. Have you received Him as your Savior and Lord? If so, then you have eternal warranty against pesky hackers. 

PINOY AT THE OVAL OFFICE

Ferdie used to call the Oval Office his turf.

I seem to have been caught in a fog recently---unable to blog as I used to; but hopefully I'm back.

Even with my jet lag from an excruciating return flight (20 hours more or less including layovers) from the US, my eyes still continued to be riveted to things and events stateside.

Because, frankly, with my son's family in the US, I've taken interest in everything affecting his and his family's future. 

The US sorely needed a change in leadership to turn its ship of state around. President Barack Obama has been given a second chance. 

Let's pray his bluster is matched with lustrous solid performance this time around; because honestly, the entire world's power cords are plugged into the US main frame---economically, militarily and in a lot more areas than we could ever imagine.

But if I may downshift, while we're still on things "White House..."

Did you know that a Pinoy used to call the Oval Office his turf?

Meet Ferdie Garcia, currently US Navy Master Chief, then President George W. Bush's personal valet during his entire eight years at the White House. He likewise served Bill Clinton eight months prior to the Bush presidency and Barack Obama six months after he occupied the Oval Office.

"I was excited and eagerly looked forward to working everyday," Ferdie refers to his stint with George Bush, whom he fondly refers to as "Tatang." The latter always called him "Son."

In Ferdie's sanctum sanctorum or man cave, his house basement, White House mementos abound. One photo shows him in action with a flyswatter, in the oval office (with President Bush at the background), with the President's note attached: "Fine form but you missed, (signed) George Bush."
 
Another photo with GB: President and Senior Chief in boxers' cloaks and gloves---in a sparring pose.

With our hosts Ferdie and Cora (center)

His photo albums reveal a close bond between the President and the First Lady and their children, and Ferdie and his wife Cora and kids, with photos upon photos to prove the relationship. 

Some personally scribbled notes from George and Laura Bush:

"Dear Ferdie, thanks for the lovely tie. I will wear it with pride. GB."

"Thank you for the fine looking tie and shorts. You were kind to remember me on my 60th birthday. I am grateful for your dedicated service at the White House and am proud  to call you friend. Best wishes. Sincerely, G.W. Bush."

"To Ferdie, with thanks and love. Laura; the President." 

Of her character, he says, "Very motherly, hindi mataas (not haughty)."

A page in his album detailed his Commander in Chief's last appraisal of Ferdie's outstanding performance: "... will be an outstanding senior chief. He should be promoted now. GB."

And to complete what I dubbed as our White House treat, Ferdie and Cora gave us a garden tour of the White House south lawn, with Carlo, Opal and our granddaughter Natalie; and my new-found friends Bessie and Horst Friedrich.

On that fine fall morning, The White House looked glorious. 

But one wonders, does the glory of God still rest here? Do its residents still bow down to the sovereignty of God in their lives? Or are they listening more to the voice of the multitude, like lobbyists fighting for legalizing abortion, gay marriage, and banning God altogether from public places? 

We need to continue to pray for America, as well as leaders of nations and nations elsewhere. We need to pray for the Philippines and our leaders! 

Proverbs 29:2: 

"When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan." (New International Version)

"When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked are in power, they groan." (English Standard Version)