Scripture: Acts 7:44-53 (NIV)

“Our ancestors had the tabernacle of the covenant law with them in the wilderness. It had been made as God directed Moses, according to the pattern he had seen. After receiving the tabernacle, our ancestors under Joshua brought it with them when they took the land from the nations God drove out before them. It remained in the land until the time of David, who enjoyed God’s favor and asked that he might provide a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. But it was Solomon who built a house for him.

“However, the Most High does not live in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says:

“‘Heaven is my throne,
and the earth is my footstool.
What kind of house will you build for me?
says the Lord.
Or where will my resting place be?
Has not my hand made all these things?’

“You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him—you who have received the law that was given through angels but have not obeyed it.”

We haven’t seen a lot of the New Republic time frame. Some of the Disney+ shows are set in that era but they don’t always have much to do with the actual government. A lot of what we have seen has taken place in the Outer Rim or other lawless places. The most we have seen comes from Ahsoka, though there have also been some books that were set around that time.

What we know is that the New Republic tried to correct some of the problems from the Old Republic that led to the Empire, but they haven’t been able to clear out all of the corruption and problems that Chancellor Palpatine used to get the power needed to change the government. We’ve seen senators that have their own agenda in mind rather than the good of the group. We know that Imperial workers weren’t replaced from jobs but somewhat left to their own devices. It’s likely that these problems are what led to the First Order being able to gain a foothold. Good intentions are one thing, follow through is another.

All through their history, the people of Israel have had the same problem. They were always running in the same cycle, pleading for God’s mercy, then living the way they should, then backsliding and persecuting those that were trying to keep them on the right path. God continued to send His prophets to them, highlighting not only where they had gone wrong but giving them a blueprint for how to get back. Instead, they rejected them, then wondered where God was and when He would bless them again.

This cycle continued all the way up to Jesus. God sent more than a prophet, He sent His own Son. Yet the same thing happened to Him. His ministry was a threat to those that were comfortable and there were many that didn’t want to listen to this new teaching. Like so many other prophets, Jesus met a violent death, though for Him it was far from the end.

Are things different today? I think they can be on a personal level. We have the Holy Spirit, which can help us live daily in a manner that shows God’s love and grace. Do we mess up? Absolutely. Sin is still a part of our lives. However, it doesn’t have to be something that has a hold on us. We can trust in God that He will forgive us if we repent. We can continually go to Him when we are feeling guilty, knowing that He will provide absolution if we truly ask.

So don’t be a slave to sin. Don’t fall back on old, unhealthy patterns. Break that cycle by accepting Christ’s sacrifice and letting it direct your path every day. Sin will happen but it doesn’t have to control you. Praise God for His mercy and grace in that!