December 22, 2023

Texas Border, China and Taiwan, Exonerated after 48 Years

December 22, 2023

Merry Christmas Remnant Family.

We will be taking off for the rest of the year and look forward to being together again in 2024. May the celebration of the first advent in the next few days increase your longing, looking, and praying for the second one.

May we be found ready.

Take an opportunity to share the Remnant with your family.

Quote of the day:

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulders. And his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace, Everlasting Father."

^{- Isaiah 9:6}

Today’s Headlines

China Wants Taiwan for Christmas

During a summit in San Francisco, Chinese President Xi Jinping informed President Joe Biden that China intends to reunify Taiwan with mainland China, emphasizing a preference for peaceful reunification. Xi refuted predictions by U.S. military leaders on a specific timeline for the reunification and urged Biden to support China's goal of peaceful reunification with Taiwan publicly, but the White House rejected the request. The meeting highlighted China's increasing aggression toward Taiwan, with concerns raised ahead of Taiwan's presidential election. Despite tensions, Biden reiterated the "One China" policy after the summit, recognizing Beijing as the sole legal government while maintaining unofficial relations with Taiwan.

________

The Remnant's Response

Peaceful reunification is a beautiful language (Matthew 5:9), but how or if it can be accomplished remains to be seen.

Pray for leaders of both superpowers (1 Timothy 2:1-2), specifically regarding the delicate handling of what is called the "One China policy," a nicely named but difficult-to-administer "agreement."

Delicate note: Before anyone speaks too rashly on the topic (Proverbs 18:13) it is good to consider how they might feel if China had a “One America" policy but supported an independent California and placed a military base there while also dealing more favorably with Sacramento than they did Washington D.C.. While the analogy is grossly imperfect, given the fundamental difference between a totalitarian Chinese government and a constitutional democracy like we have in America, it will give some insight into the significant struggle before us to maintain peace in the region (Proverbs 18:17). Communism is no friend of humanity and its evils should be constantly addressed and steadfastly resisted (Isaiah 1:17). Pray also and especially for the church in China and Taiwan, that they would be the unifying force which supernaturally models wisdom and grace to a world that is quick to assign blame to others who have wronged them and hates to forgive. Pray they would speak up in the face of any injustice or tyranny around them and be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves (Matthew 10:16) as they interact with the "governors and Kings" over them (Matthew 10:17-18). Pray for Xi Jinping that the Lord would direct his heart (Proverbs 21:1) to seek peace with God (Romans 5:1) and to be a true peacemaker (Matthew 5:9) with the Taiwanese.

Texas in Trouble

Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed three bills into law aimed at deterring illegal immigration at the Texas-Mexico border. Senate Bill 3 allocates $1.54 billion for border barrier construction and allows spending on state troopers for patrols near a housing development. Senate Bill 4 establishes a state crime for illegal border crossing, likely leading to a legal showdown with the federal government. Another Senate Bill 4 increases the minimum sentence for smuggling immigrants or operating stash houses. Critics argue that making illegal border crossing a state crime is unconstitutional as immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility. Texas has bussed nearly 83,000 migrants to cities around the country, including flying 120 individuals to Chicago this past week.

________

The Remnant's Response

We have written extensively on the immigration issue before noting that God’s word encourages discernment in welcoming others, not indiscriminate amnesty or irresponsibly open borders (Exodus 22:21, Exodus 23:9, Deuteronomy 10:19, Leviticus 19:33-34).

Meanwhile, Texas’s actions exemplify what others should do when they forsake their God-given responsibility (Ezekiel 22:30). When leaders do not faithfully execute their jobs, others are forced out of their “tranquil and quiet lives” (1 Timothy 2:2) to take action (Ephesians 5:11). The Lord is appalled when foolishness and evil overtake a land, and no one acts (Isaiah 59:15-16).

We encourage you to re-read the biblical principles shared here, which not only inform our understanding of law and borders but also remind us of our responsibility to love our brothers.

Please also reread our thoughts on Trump’s recent immigration comments.

A Crime He Didn’t Commit

Glynn Simmons, 70, was exonerated in Oklahoma after serving over 48 years for a 1975 murder conviction in a liquor store robbery. The National Registry of Exonerations reported this as the longest wrongful sentence in the U.S.. Simmons was declared innocent by Judge Amy Palumbo, who found evidence had not been disclosed to his defense. Released on bond recently, Simmons faced flawed identification and contradictory witness testimony. The amended order stated "clear and convincing evidence" that he did not commit the crime. Simmons, diagnosed with cancer, may receive up to $175,000 in compensation and has the option to file a federal lawsuit.

________

The Remnant's Response

This story is heartbreaking and the latest example of our broken world, which has us all groaning and longing for redemption (Jeremiah 12:10-12). There is no way to give this man back the years stolen from him; the suffering and injustice that Mr. Simmons endured would not be compensated if he was given $17,500,000, much less the $175,000 he "might receive." It is hard to imagine the emotions he must have felt when the news reached him that he was going to be declared innocent of all charges after decades of wondering if a provision for freedom would ever come. When God's word tells us that in light of our salvation, we should 'greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while… we have been distressed by various trials" (1 Peter 1:6), it is important to remember that the "little while" for some is a lifetime. When hope finally comes, darkness is pierced, and the God who works slowly acts suddenly; the only right response is to imitate the angels on the first Christmas morning (Luke 2:14). But our story of redemption and freedom is even more miraculous than Mr. Simmons's. Yes, we live in a broken world, imprisoned by sin, jailed by the weakness of our flesh, and tormented by the hopelessness of our condition, but unlike Mr. Simmons, we deserve our fate; all of us are guilty, and none of us is innocent. We stand rightly condemned by a just God who allows us to live in the effects of our choosing (Romans 3:23, 6:23a). Left to ourselves, we can do nothing but await a full and righteous condemnation from a holy and righteously angry God.

Except for Christmas.

Christmas is when the God of perfect justice (Psalm 7:11) fully reveals that He is also the God of perfect mercy and love (Exodus 34:6). Christmas is when "people who walk in darkness" see a "great light." It is where "those who live in a dark land" had "light shine on them" (Isaiah 9:2) and "increase their gladness… as with the gladness of harvest, as men who rejoice when they divide the spoil" (Isaiah 9:3) for a "child was born to us, a Son was given to us”… and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6).

Mr. Simmons is not the only one who should be singing this Christmas; in fact, he is not even the one who should be singing the loudest (Psalm 68:4). It is the remnant, the people who understand that Christmas is the fountain of our redemption (Psalm 107:2), who should be competing with the ang to see who can most loudly proclaim, "Glory to God in the highest, peace on earth and goodwill toward men" (Luke 2:14).

Are you singing to others this Christmas?

Other news you should know

💦 Hulk Splash! Hulk Hogan baptized and declares it the greatest day of his life.

👩🏻‍⚖️ Rudy Guiliani declares bankruptcy.

🔫 15 dead after a shooting in Prauge.

🗳️ Vivek vows to withdraw from Colorado primary ballot unless Trump is on it. Colorado GOP says they'll switch from primary to caucus if ruling stands.

🇺🇸 US Forces in Iraq and Syria have been attacked over 100 times since October.

⚓️The Houthis, in solidarity with Hamas allies, vow more attacks on ships in Red Sea.