Do you feel hopeless about the upcoming election? I share those feelings. We have no good options and feel locked into an outcome we have no control over. Chaos seems to be closing in on us. We’ve lost a sense of well-being in the world.
If ever there was a time to run to Scripture, it is now. Our minds and hearts need the renewal that comes only from God’s Word. These are days to memorize and meditate on words that are truer than what we see around us. The Bible gives a perspective we can’t get anywhere else.
Scripture is not silent when we face difficult decisions.
Here are a few Scriptural reminders that have helped me as I meditate on each one:
• God’s plan to redeem the world is not political—it’s spiritual. “Make disciples of all nations … and teach them to obey everything I have commanded.” Matthew 28:18-20. This is God’s agenda, and should be ours.
• God’s plan will go forward, no matter who wins the election. “The Lord Almighty has sworn, ‘Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will stand’ Isaiah 14:24. “There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord” Proverbs 21:33.
• Jesus’ final earthly prayer for his people was for our unity (John 17:21-23). We can disagree on candidates and voting methods, while respecting each other’s prayerful decisions, and passionate pleas.
• For the believer, “our citizenship is in heaven” Philippians 3:20. Our allegiance is to God above country loyalty.
• The saints of the past “admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth, and longed for a better country—a heavenly one” Hebrews 11:13,16. We’re not there yet. Meanwhile we’re here on assignment.
Scripture gives us an alternative to
• Seeking human solutions to unsolvable problems
• Longing for what cannot satisfy
• The contagious despair in others
• Drifting away from God’s agenda
• Fear of the unknown
• Giving up when life is hard
• Prideful assumptions that our choice is the only viable option
God does not leave us unequipped to make difficult decisions. He gives us Himself. We have his Spirit, we have his Word, and we have access to God through prayer. He promises, “If anyone lacks wisdom, let him ask God” James 1:5.
Let us approach the days and months ahead, walking closely with God, saturated in his Word, and trusting that he sees the big picture we cannot see.
“Some trust in chariots, and some trust in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God” Psalm 20:8
This post is not intended to be a platform for presenting or defending any position. I welcome all respectful comments.
I had been praying for a presidential candidate who didn’t need gov’t money. To me, Donald Trump is that candidate. Certainly I never expected him to be a godly man as that was not a characteristic he displayed before he became our candidate. I have been reading and thinking about King Cyrus and King Darius. God uses all kinds of people – He has even used me! So, I will continue to trust that He will do what He always does – bring glory to Himself!
I like this reminder from Daniel 2:20-21. “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.” He is in control of who leads nations, and we can trust Him to give us wisdom.
Thank you for sharing this, Janet. This is a season that the Lord is reminding me to look away from trusting in any person, agenda, or event and to put my trust in Him alone. He is God, and He will accomplish all of His purposes. Thank you for the wonderful reminder to stay in the Word!
“In peace I will both lie down and sleep, For Thou alone, O LORD, dost make me to dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8
Psalm 103 says
the Lord has established his throne in heaven
and his kingdom rules over all
when we remember that we can have hope
i heard someone on the radio a few years ago(dont know if it was you janet)
and she recited Psalm 103 aloud
i was captivated !!!
that has inspired me to learn not only Psalm 103 , but other whole passages or
chapters
it has been the most encouraging thing i have ever done
thanks