Two Choices?

Today, Americans will cast their ballots and the next President will be chosen. This election season has been filled with more turmoil and uncertainty than at any other time in history. Our nation is definitely at a crisis point, and many are in great fear of the future of our nation.  We believers have two choices in how we respond- either in joining with those who fear, or joining together with the Lord’s agenda.

Isaiah 8:12-14a says, “You are not to say, ‘It is a conspiracy!’ in regard to all that this people call a conspiracy, and you are not to fear what they fear or be in dread of it. It is the Lord of hosts whom you should regard as holy. And He shall be your fear, and He shall be your dread. Then He shall become a sanctuary…”

As Christians, we are instructed not to participate in the fear around us. When we are tempted to be fearful and anxious, we are to turn our focus to the Lord’s holiness, and, as Isaiah instructs, to allow Him to be our sanctuary. We are to trust our enemies to the Lord, and we are to wait for the Lord.

We all long to see our nation turn back to the Lord, and it is our job as believers to be working diligently toward that. It is our job to be turning people toward Jesus- not turning them toward one candidate or another. But how many of us have campaigned viciously for our candidate, without ever taking this election season as an opportunity to be a passionate vessel of the mercy and grace for Christ’s salvation to be spread to the people around us?

Christ’s church has a particularly important opportunity and responsibility right now to proclaim the Gospel. In I Timothy 2:1-6, God’s Word tells us that we have an obligation to pray for all people, and specifically for “kings and all who are in high positions.” The spiritual healing of our nation will begin with God’s people abandoning their own agenda and joining their hearts completely with His heart- a heart that desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

In Matthew 5, Jesus told us:  “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.  Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in Heaven.”

When we truly and thoroughly become burdened with His heart for the lost, we won’t stop praying for the lost. And we will add action to our prayers as we will go out seek those who need to know Jesus. We will become bold witnesses, and our lives will be committed not to the priorities of worldly comforts and recreation, not to a political party or agenda, but will be committed to bringing the lost to Jesus.  

Is your peace today contingent on who is victorious in the elections?  Or do you have peace today knowing that your light is shining brightly enough that others can see the light of Jesus in you?