It is safe to say that we have been bombarded for months with the
importance of the “choice” Americans are making today, November 8, 2016. The
weight of this choice has caused the most division and anxiety that I’ve ever
seen in our country in my mere 24 years of life. In the spirit of transparency,
I will be the first to admit that I’ve struggled with this election. I’ve
avoided the news and social media because I have wanted to avoid the chaos and
hatred. I’ve worried about the future of our country and the uncertainty of the
days to come. I’ve prayed for the hearts of Americans to change and be drawn
towards God. This election has been a true test of faith for me, and I know I
am not alone in that trial. Today I’ve realized that in the big picture of
life, my choice for president of the United States is really pretty small. I
feel in my heart that I need to share my thoughts on a few other important
choices that we all have to make in the days to come.
You have made your choice and cast your vote for president of the
United States, but we have another choice to make tomorrow. As followers of
Christ, we have to make the choice on a day by day, moment by moment basis to
put our complete faith and complete trust in God and His sovereignty. After the
ballots are in and the results are announced, we have a choice in how we react.
What would it look like if we decided to live out our faith, pray for our
elected leaders, and love those around us? 1 Timothy 2:1-4 gives us the
following command, “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession
and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for
kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet
lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is
good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all
people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” God knew
a long time ago who was going to win the 2016 election. Our purpose in life is
not to place our security in a political leader. Our purpose in life is to know
God, trust God, glorify God in our words and deeds, and to share the good news
of the gospel with everyone on this planet.
Regardless of the outcome, we have the choice to pray for the leaders
of our country. Even if you do not agree with who is elected, I urge each of
you to be persistent in prayer for our country and our leaders. The Bible has
numerous stories of how God has touched the hearts of kings and leaders throughout
history. In the book of Ezra, the Lord “stirred up the spirit” of Cyrus the
king of Persia and allowed for the reconstruction of the temple in Jerusalem,
fulfilling the promise He made to his people. Proverbs 21:1 states, “The king’s
heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water, He turns it
wherever He wishes.” God CAN intercede in the hearts of our leaders. He can
give them wisdom and discernment. Pray without ceasing, friends.
Here’s the thing. The president of the United States can’t offer us the
security and hope that we have in Jesus Christ. The absolute most important
choice that any of us will ever make is the choice to accept Jesus Christ as
our Lord and Savior. Our creator and our father in Heaven loves us more than we
can comprehend. He loves with the kind of love that says, “I will die for you
so that I can spend forever in eternity with you.” When we accept Jesus Christ
as our savior, we trade our temporary home on this Earth for an eternal
citizenship in Heaven. I pray that if anyone reading this has not accepted
Christ as their savior that God stirs their heart towards Him.
In the uncertainty of this election season I pray that people see that
security, hope, and love cannot be found outside of a relationship with God. I
pray that those of us who follow Christ can lead others to Christ by our
unwavering faith. I pray that each of us makes the daily choice to trust God in
ALL circumstances and love others the way that he does. I pray for God
glorifying change in our country. Above all, I pray that each day, I choose
Him.
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
the people he chose for his inheritance.
13 From heaven the Lord looks down
and sees all mankind;
14 from his dwelling place he watches
all who live on earth—
15 he who forms the hearts of all,
who considers everything they do.
the people he chose for his inheritance.
13 From heaven the Lord looks down
and sees all mankind;
14 from his dwelling place he watches
all who live on earth—
15 he who forms the hearts of all,
who considers everything they do.
16 No king is saved by the size of his army;
no warrior escapes by his great strength.
17 A horse is a vain hope for deliverance;
despite all its great strength it cannot save.
18 But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him,
on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,
19 to deliver them from death
and keep them alive in famine.
no warrior escapes by his great strength.
17 A horse is a vain hope for deliverance;
despite all its great strength it cannot save.
18 But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him,
on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,
19 to deliver them from death
and keep them alive in famine.
20 We wait in hope for the Lord;
he is our help and our shield.
21 In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.
22 May your unfailing love be with us, Lord,
even as we put our hope in you.
he is our help and our shield.
21 In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.
22 May your unfailing love be with us, Lord,
even as we put our hope in you.
-Psalm 33:12-22
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