Like many across the country, I was disappointed Tuesday night. I wanted a change. The reason why I wanted change was based on moral grounds.
While I know that no candidate is perfect, I hoped that America would select a candidate who chooses life over abortion, God-ordained marriage instead of same-sex marriage, work instead of misuse of welfare, and many other issues. The results of the election speak volumes for the state of the union. Has our country drifted away from God to the point of no return? Will God give our nation more time to repent, or has He delivered America to her inevitable doom? As I have considered these questions over the last few days, one realization continues to rise to the top: the answers to these questions are solely God's business and not my business. God is responsible for the judgment of the nations. He is in control – both of my country and of my life. That being the case, it is beneficial to remember what are our responsibilities. What does God want Christians to do?
1. Remember that God still rules in the kingdoms of men (cf. Dan. 5:21). The sun rose Wednesday morning, and life resumed as we all began our day. That is not said to downplay the election or its impact on our nation; rather, it is said to emphasize the fact that God is in control. He causes the sun to rise, and He causes it to rise on the just and the unjust (Mat. 5:45). Because God is in control, His people should take comfort and rejoice (Phil. 4:4)!
2. Now, more than ever, Christians must rise to action (cf. Rom. 13:11; 2 Cor. 6:2). Noah's world was morally decayed, but Noah kept preaching and obeying God. Jeremiah wept for his nation, but preached and warned them to return to God. Our first century brethren refused to give up – even when the government of their day attempted to silence their message (cf. Acts 4:19-20). God's people today must rise to action! Let us be involved in right living, not laziness (1 Pet. 2:13-15). Let us be involved in right teaching, not tolerance (2 Tim. 4:2). Let us have the right hearts, not hearts of hatred (John 13:34-35). Let us pray the right prayers (1 Tim. 2:1-2). Remember that Jonah's message moved a nation! We must "strengthen the hands which hang down" and "pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord" (Heb. 12:12-14).
3. Remember that righteousness is required of all people in all nations. There is no land – regardless of the primary religious beliefs in that land – that is exempt. Righteousness means obeying the commandments of Jehovah God (Psa. 119:172).
4. America must remember God's blessings. The Israelites became too prideful, forgot the great blessings with which God had blessed them, and drifted from God. This cycle repeatedly runs its course in the Old Testament. There was a time (perhaps even a long period of time) when America flourished and prospered by God's hand. During that time, many of her citizens attributed their successes to God and praised Him for the great things He had done in their lives. America must continue to attribute her successes to the One, True God. "Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving" (Col. 4:2).
5. Christians must remember God's promises. The Word of God is replete with promises to the faithful. We must remember that, regardless of world conditions, these promises hold true. The Lord said, "I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Mat. 28:20). The Lord said that those who will seek first the kingdom of God will be blessed with everything they need (Mat. 6:33). God, the Father, has made this promise to His people all through the ages: “I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Heb. 13:5). Our response to that should be, "The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Heb. 13:6).
6. Remember your dual citizenship as a Christian. We can sing that old song with confidence: "This world is not my home, I'm just passing through." The Scriptural validity to that sentiment is found in Philippians 3:20-21. "For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself."
May God's people increase their faith, increase their trust, and lean on the everlasting arms (cf. Deut. 33:27)!
Well done. Great insights.
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