For the past few months, I repeatedly read and heard people say, “I can’t wait for Nov. 9 for all this to be over!!”
Well, it is Nov. 9. And nothing is over. It’s just beginning.
I wrote this post yesterday – on Election Day – without knowing who won the election. But some things I do know about my tomorrow – The Day After.
There are a lot of unhappy people now. Half our nation is reeling that their candidate lost the election and are imagining the worst case scenarios.
There are a lot of happy people now. Their candidate won, and they picture their agendas coming to pass over the next few years.
What can these happy and unhappy people agree on?
Whether people are pleased or not with the election outcome, all will agree that this was an historic American election. Either the first woman president will be inaugurated. Or a non-politician Washington outsider will be.
And I think most people will agree that this nation is polarized. People are climbing into their bunkers of ideology shooting barbs at enemy combatants with differing opinions, forgetting that their enemies are also created by the same God, whether they know it or not.
My ministry tagline is “Bringing an eternal perspective to earthly matters.” And I think that this perspective is needed now more than ever. So to bring that eternal perspective, let me share some historical and biblical truths.
- Persecution and governments hostile to the gospel have not hindered the growth of the church.
- When Paul appealed to Caesar in Act 25, he was appealing his case to Nero, arguably “most despicable manifestations of human flesh ever to disgrace this planet”. The Apostle presented his case to a governmental authority riddled with corruption and hatred for the gospel.
- Romans threw Christians to the lions, which did not extinguish Christianity but strengthened the believers’ faith.
- Persecution in Jerusalem caused the church to grow and spread (Acts 8:1)
- The church is growing in China, Africa, other persecuted areas while it is shrinking in the US, a supposedly “Christian nation.”
- As citizens of heaven, our trust is in an eternal government led by God, not by mankind.
- “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control….” Phil 3:20-21
- God calls us to obedience to those in authority.
- “All authority come from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.” Rom. 13:1
- “Be subject to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether to the king, as supreme; or unto governors, as sent by him” 1 Pet. 2:13-14
- We are to pray for those in authority, and we will live in peace if we do.
- “I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.” 1 Tim. 2:1-2
- “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known, and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus!” Phil. 4:6-7
- God is in control whether we believe it or not. He rules the universe with precision, keeping billions of molten stars, planets, and galaxies in perfect order. God will still be in control no matter who leads this small patch of the universe.
- “For kingship belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations.” Ps. 22:28
- “…putting everything in subjection under his feet. Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him.” Heb. 2:8
- He knew who would be elected, even planned it, no matter how ungodly you think the candidate may be.
- “The Lord Almighty has sworn,’Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will happen.’” Is. 14:24
- The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble. Prov. 16:4
As I said in the beginning of this post, when the election is over, it isn’t the end. It’s the beginning. It is incumbent upon us to be people that represent God well. We must demonstrate the love of Christ that is in our hearts. We have it in our power to bring healing to a country divided. I’ve heard people say that if ____ gets elected, I’m leaving the country. To that I say, don’t leave – the country needs you now more than ever.
Let us be salt and light, making our voices heard with respect for our opponents.
Let our conversation be gracious and attractive so that we will have the right response for everyone. Col. 4:6
Let us be ambassadors for a loving, compassionate God.
