Election 2016 Thoughts~Julie

​So I wanted to post about the election before the election, but that didn't happen and honestly, what I want to say doesn't change at all based on it being after the fact.
 
This was a difficult election and the wake of it continues to be turbulent.  Here are ten thoughts, listed in random order. 
 
1) No man (or woman) can save us. Jesus alone can save us as individuals, and ultimately as a nation as well.
 
2) God really does rule in the affairs of men. See Daniel 2:20-22 and 4:32. He raises up kings (and presidents) and He brings them down.
 
3) We had a choice and the fact that these were our choices says something that ought to make us pause and consider where we are as a nation.
 
4) We, as Christians, really ought to wrestle with the Lord. I intended this to be before the election and say that we needed to ask God for wisdom about who to vote for. I saw many people doing that and I think God certainly was using the difficulty of the choice to cause many to turn to Him and ask, "What should I do?" I think this still applies. We should continue to wrestle with Him and ask, "What are you doing in the midst of this? What is my response supposed to be?"
 
5) We really did face a difficult election. I've never been so grieved over the choices before me as well as the state of our nation in general. I've never been so undecided up until the final week or so before the election. This means that there wasn't an easy choice for many people and there isn't an easy way forward.
 
6) Pray. Pray, pray, pray. If it's not time now to do what Joel 2 and Zephaniah 2 prescribe (gather together, repent, and cry out for mercy), when will it be? Our nation is so divided and our leaders (as well as the Church, and the nation in general) need our prayers!
 
7) Trump, Hillary, and President Obama are real people. They each face so much hate and opposition from various groups, and they really do need our prayers.  Also, those who are selected to lead, whether we like them, agree with them, or think they are the worst thing that can happen to the earth, need prayers for wisdom.  God commands us in the Word to pray for kings (presidents, yes?) and all those in authority. 
 
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all 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.  This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.  I Timothy 2:1-4
 
8) It sounds cliché but we saw a sign declaring before the election, “On November 9, God will still be on the throne.” It really isn't cliché and should become a rock for us in these times. Jesus really is King. He's not going to be our President, but He is the forever King. And, that should affect how we think, feel, and act in the midst of a divided and difficult time.
 
"If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do? The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord's throne is in heaven; his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man." Psalm 11:3
 
9) A little bit of kindness goes a long way.  We heard an excellent message that you can find here about a response to the election.  In it, Mike Bickle cuts through who we like or dislike and talks about excelling in kindness in these times.  This isn’t a trite, Sunday School lesson for kids.  This is how we win!  We choose to let the fruit of the Holy Spirit grow in us and we practice kindness.  That doesn’t mean we agree with all people around us.  It doesn’t mean that we aren’t firm or confident in what we believe.  But, it does mean that we can treat people who disagree with kindness and be willing to really hear them.
  
10)  Our nation needs healing. Our nation is deeply divided.  The only solution for a division so deep is healing.  What do you do for a man who has been slashed down the middle with a sword?  You sew him up and pray for healing.  It feels our nation is in such a critical place.  What can truly sew us back together again?
 
As I was weeping one night over the racial divisions in our nation, the words “heal our land” were ringing in my ears. 
 
If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.  2 Chronicles 7:14
 
It’s time.  It’s time to pray, repent, and truly live as Christ has called us to. If not now, when?

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