Post-Election Ponderings

Here are a few thoughts following up on the election.  I am indebted to some others for some of these thoughts.  A qualifier: I am sad and disappointed today.  I may have been less so, had the election gone another way, but we don’t know what the alternative would have brought.  My disappointment with the outcome is largely based on the fact that there is a track record here that doesn't give much reason for optimism regarding the future.  The alternative, however, was certainly not ideal.

1. Given the state of our nation, one might be surprised that our country would vote for 4 more years in of the same in the White House and at least 2 more years in the Senate.  But given the state of the nation – moral decay, proud of our sin, laziness, calling evil good, perhaps we should not be surprised. As Al Mohler said in a pre-election post, “Democratic systems inevitably reflect the electorate’s decisions, and these decisions reveal underlying worldviews.  And, truth be told, all we can expect from democracy is the government we deserve.”  I guess the surprise comes in that perhaps we hoped the American people would get so fed up, they would act.  But perhaps we misjudged the American people; perhaps we don’t realize the depth of the sin and depravity and spiritual blindness that are rampant in our nation.  

2. Pray for your leaders. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all the people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.”  Our goal as Christians should be to live peaceful, quiet, godly, dignified lives.  One way we do this is by praying for our leaders.  You may not like some of the election outcomes, but I urge you to pray for those people that we have elected.  Pray for their salvation; pray for wisdom; pray that they would make decisions that would enable us to live this kind of life; pray that they would not promote evil; pray that God would restrain their efforts where they do promote evil.  But pray!  It seems it’s getting harder to live a peaceful, quiet, godly, dignified life in our country.  And so by all means, mourn what’s happening in our nation; mourn that we have leaders that do not do what is right.  It is ok to feel anguish and distress and disappointment at the state of our nation.  Jesus mourned over unrepentant Jerusalem.  But don’t stop with prayer and mourning.  If you are concerned about the state of our nation, then go live for Christ in this nation.  Be salt and light; point people to the Savior, Jesus.  Proclaim the good news of the gospel; tell others where they can hear it proclaimed; bring them to church with you.  If you want the nation to change; people have to change.  And only God can do that; tell them about that God.  Politicians and government are not the answer and neither should we hang our hope upon them.  Jesus is the answer to men’s sin problem, and our problem in this country is largely a moral, sin problem.  That means we have everything we need to address it head on.  Give them the truth!

3. Honor the King.  Romans 13:1 “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities.  For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.”  1 Pet. 2:17 “Honor everyone.  Love the brotherhood.  Fear God.  Honor the emperor.”  This does not mean you have to agree with their policies and practices, but the cause of Christ won't be well served by harsh, dishonoring vitriol spewed at those in office.  

4. Rest in the wisdom and sovereignty of the wise Creator who made and sustains his creation, in whose hand is the heart of the king (and the hearts of the people who elected the king), who is never surprised, and does all things well. (Too many references to list, but Nehemiah 9:6; Lamentations 3:37; and Psalm 33:10-11 are a good start.)

5. This world ain't my home, I'm just a passin' through.  We are citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven forever; citizens of the United States of America for a comparatively short time.  What are you living for?  (Hebrews 11:13-16; 1 Peter 1:17; 2:11).