The Election is Over – Now What?

By Pastor Tim Burt

Proverbs 14:26, “In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, and His children will have a place of refuge.”

For many Americans today, this is a day of great rejoicing! That happens to be a majority of Americans. They have voted in the President of the United States that they believe will lead this country into a better place of peace, prosperity, security, and love toward one another and the rest of the world.

For many Americans today, they are disappointed and even hurting over the results of yesterday’s election. Those whom they felt would help lead this country in better place. They saw someone else rise to political power.

So where do we go from here? It appears that those that govern how politics and elections should happen in this dispensation of time only know how to do so by causing great division, disrespect, polarization, and leaving a wake of hurtful words that are suddenly supposed to disappear and we all go on.

Being a Pastor in a church that is diverse in culture and opinion, we have the political aftermath that we now have to deal with. The facebooks, the blogs, the twitters, the expressed opinions are all still there – some quieted, some venting, some gloating, and more – like evidence from a crime seen. What has been said doesn’t just go away and be forgotten. So how can and how does unity come?

Unity comes for Christians from remembering that God is God and there is none else. 1 Tim. 6:15 reminds us, “Which in His times He shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords.” And 1 Chronicles 29:12 “Both riches and honor come from you, and you reign over all; and in your hand is power and might; and in your hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.”

If we as Christians have put our confidence in a man or persons to lead us, then our confidence was sorely misplaced. Proverbs 14:26 instructs us, “In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, and His children will have a place of refuge.” We remember that all men have sinned and fallen short. The governments of men succeed or fail not by their great wisdom and ability, but the ultimate plan of God and much because God’s people pray and live for Him. Confidence in a man is misplaced. Confidence in God helps the man God has raised up!

If as Christians, if we are a people that truly trust in and lean upon God, then we trust that He is working in and through our prayers for those in authority in this nation and whom He allows to come to power. We can and should prayerfully rejoice and pray for those that God will now use to bring about His will. “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.” Romans 13:1

If out of the good intention of helping those we wanted to see get elected, have allowed ourselves to be less than civil in our thoughts and words toward those we disagreed with or with those who were the other choice of office, it’s time for prayer, it’s time for national rejoicing, it’s time for forgiveness, it’s time to pray and be excited about the changes that we should pray in faith over for that which we desire to see come through our newly elected officials. It’s a time to unify. We say we believe in our democracy and we have just let it work. Now let’s spend time bringing words of reconciliation and congratulations and draw together in unity to work for greatness in our country.

As Christians, let’s reunite and refocus in the purpose that we were put on this earth for – for the election that is above all elections. “Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:10-11) Let’s do so in the spirit of love and unity that we’ve been called to walk in. For our election is the gospel of Jesus Christ – to be His light on a shining hill and draw others into His kingdom and government forever.

In His Love,
Pastor Tim Burt
http://readfreshmanna.blogspot.com/