pastorjfreeman

Isaiah 9:6 says, “For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Psalm 145:13 says, “Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom and your dominion endures throughout all generations.”

I wrote this article yesterday, on the eve of the United States Presidential Election. I have no idea what the outcome will be today. As I sit here and think about what is to come, I am mindful of all the different emotions many people are experiencing today. There are some who are fearful, anxious, and nervous. Others are hopeful, eager, and excited. There are also many who are a mixture of those things, or experiencing other emotions and attitudes I did not mention. No matter what you are feeling, my ultimate desire is that we would all be prayerful, and at peace, as we seek to truly trust the Lord with the outcome.

Due to not knowing the outcome at this moment, there is a certain joy and freedom I have in writing this article. I can say things that no one can misinterpret because my thoughts are not tied to who won the election. What I would like to do in these few short paragraphs, is encourage you with what has encouraged me. Even if your desired candidate does not win, there is hope, peace, and joy you can still have. These are the things that I have chosen to center on, regardless of the outcome.

First, God is the One who is really in charge. Isaiah 55:8-9 says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than yours and my thoughts than your thoughts.” God is above us and beyond us. He is in control. Throughout history, kings and presidents have come and gone, but God remains the same. From cover to cover, God raises up kings and brings them down. They are but pawns in the hands of our good and sovereign God. While man thinks he is in charge, that mentality could not be further from the truth. As the great C.H. Spurgeon once said, “Not a blade of grass moves without God’s permission.” Dear friends, regardless of who the president is, God is in complete control. Rest in that beautiful reality today.

Second, God does what is for our good and His glory. As Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.” If you love God and are seeking Him, then no matter what you face, God will use it for your good, and ultimately His glory. That does not always mean our circumstances will be good, but God can use even not good events to accomplish very good things. All we have to do is trust Him. Remember, you and I exist for God. He does not exist for us. However, because He is so loving and good, He even takes hard, unpleasant, and unwanted things and turns them into useful things when we trust Him. No matter what you are feeling today, give it all to God and watch Him turn it for good.

Third, God calls us to pray for those in authority. 1 Timothy 2:1-3 says, “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 quiet life, godly, and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior.” No matter who and no matter what, we are to pray for our elected leaders. Today, stop and pray for our local, state, and national leaders. God has allowed them to be in the positions they are in, and He asks us to pray for them.

Finally, God’s people are a part of a Kingdom not of this world. At the end of the day, Christians have to remember that this world is not our home. Our final destination is the New Heaven and New Earth, where we will enjoy our great God and King forever and ever. While we are on this earth, we should seek to make a difference, but we should not get too wrapped up in it, for we are just passing through. Revelation 21 says, “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth…He will dwell with them and they will be His people…He will wipe every tear away from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anywhere, for the former things have passed away.”

This week, trust the Lord. Rejoice in Him. Pray for those in authority. Rest in God’s goodness and sovereignty. He is in control and Jesus is King!