Are the Gates Winning?

(Pro 19:12 KJV)  The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.

A month ago as this is posted I was in a Zoom conversation that involved mainly people from California.  They were excited that the courts had said that California churches should be allowed to reopen.  We had participants from two large churches and they were asked what was happening.  One was still playing the virtual worship game but the choir was starting to meet, wearing masks and sitting six feet apart.  The other had been “open” for two weeks but people were escorted to seats and placed apart from each other.

Not being in California I feel it is easy to criticize and be bold, but, really?  What happened to the gates of hell prevailing against the church?  This comes to mind because this verse warns us about the approval of the king.  It is totally inconsistent.  One minute the government is full of “wrath” (2197) like a roaring lion.  We tremble and shut down our churches.  Then we get the morning dew smile and we meekly trickle in the doors.

So?  I struggle with my own submissions and shake my head at others.  It is an ongoing question about the relationship between God’s church and the world’s government.  Pray for wisdom.  Also pray for courage because the moment will come when God calls each of us to action.