Fence Straddling

         Every four years, we find ourselves faced with another presidential election. It is during this time that we find many people who wish to get into office practicing what some may call, "fence straddling."  For some, fence straddling is a continual practice. We especially find this true of those politicians who don't want to offend anyone and so they try to please everyone they are with at the time.  We can observe this phenomena during this present time due to the upcoming election.  They will say one thing one time and then seem to contradict themselves later on when they are with another group. In many cases they will speak for five minutes and then you ask yourself "What did they say?" and you can't come up with a clear answer. I sometimes think that there is a course that is taught for this skill in those degrees that lead to becoming a politician.   But fence straddling doesn't just occur with politics.  It can and often does occur within the church.  One man, who was a well known preacher with a large church, stated that they no longer mentioned the word "sin" as it was unpleasant to the membership and they wanted to leave a more positive image with the people.  Psalm 119:113-114 says,  "I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love. [114] Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word."   

        The words that are used for "hate vain thoughts" has to do with being a double minded person.  The same idea can be seen in 1 Kings 18:21 in the story of Elijah on Mount Carmel when he challenged to people who were vacillating between two things, whether to serve God or to serve Baal.  Elijah told them to make up their mind.  The believer should make sure that they are conducting themselves as the Scripture says and not to just try to please whomever they are with at the time.  It's not good to be a fence straddler as sooner or later, it will catch up with you and you are going to have to suffer the results.  You will find that the only position is to be on the Lord's side in each and every issue. The Psalmist was clear as to his opinion of those that were "double minded."  He went on to say that he loved God's law and that God was His hiding place.  There will be those times when you have made your position so clear to all that you will need to have a hiding place.  It is then that you will know that God is that hiding place and that you can find peace with Him even amid the storms of life.  Praise God today for the care He takes of His own especially in times of persecution.