Word of the week: OK
It’s going to be OK. The election just happened, and Donald Trump will be our President in January, 2017. Some of you are ecstatic. Some of you are grieving. Many are somewhere in between, having been unhappy with the major party candidates. As a political junkie, I follow elections. This has been the most unusual and difficult in my lifetime. That comes as no shock to you, I’m sure.
I’m thankful so many friends on social media are talking about God’s sovereign control of the nations. That control does not mean that all things work out for what we perceive is good, or experience as good. I think many Christians secretly wonder why God allowed what seems out of alignment with their expectations for his rule. I think we need to take heart and find hope in God. It’s not a good idea to move to Canada! I want to give you a Biblical example to consider.
After the fall of Jerusalem in 587, the people of God were in a bad situation. This was all a result of their persistent disobedience to God’s loving laws for them. God wanted an exclusive love, and they were dating around. Most were taken into exile. A few were left behind and their lives were tough. Needless to say, they weren’t very happy with the government they had. Their rulers were all worshippers of other gods, and their armies had torn their country apart.
We see Jeremiah encouraging the first batch of exiles to Babylon to plan for a long stay, and to be a blessing in the (foreign) city in which they live:
Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. (Jer. 29:4-7 ESV)
Our circumstances are completely unlike theirs, right? Actually, we are described as strangers and aliens in the New Testament. We are like pilgrims on a long and perilous journey to the Promised Land. Whatever is going on right now, we aren’t truly home yet. While we are here, like the exiles of old, we work to be a blessing where we are.
Secondly, several Biblical characters find favor with heathen kings who, it would seem, have little reason to show them favor. Daniel was an extremely wise and perceptive advisor who was gifted with prophetic visions of the future. He found favor with kings he served, even though from many perspectives they were terrible. Nehemiah manages to get the king for whom he works to spring for materials for the reconstruction of the defensive wall around Jerusalem. As Proverbs says:
The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will. (Proverbs 21:1 ESV)
Those biblical examples show us that rulers who are outwardly opposed to our God, can be used by God to bless and serve His people. One president who was opposed by many evangelical leaders passed a landmark religious freedom bill to delineate protections for churches, mosques and synagogues in our land.
Lastly, remember this instruction:
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. (1 Tim. 2:1-2 ESV)
Whatever you think about our new president, pray for him and others in the government. God wants to use governments to aid his servants to “lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way”. So be serious about committing matters to prayer. Exercise trust in God in these matters.
On a completely happy note, GCC’s own Daniel Rutherford was elected as the Nelson County Commonwealth’s Attorney. Daniel, Kate, Eli, Lee, Adalyn and Nate, we are all grateful for this opportunity for you, thankful for your friendship, and prayerful for Daniel’s work in the justice system! We love you!
In Him,
Don