The Day After

Today half the people in America are yelling “Four More Years!” - and the other half are just yelling.

I did my part. I voted. I encouraged people to vote and to follow God’s voice as they voted. And for different people that meant different things, based on what they thought God saw as important, and based on the way they thought God’s will would be done. That’s democracy. I wouldn’t trade it, but it allows for people to vote that I think are dead wrong in their thinking. And it allows me to vote, when other people think I’m stupid.

As you read through the history of the Old Testament, it’s amazing how things go back and forth. From one King who is horrible and worships false gods, to the next who rediscovers God’s word and brings the people back. My point is that God allowed both to be kings (at least for awhile).

Yes, the people suffered under bad kings. However there always seemed to be a remnant of people who continued their faith and trust in God and his ways. There always will be. The Israelites flourished in Egypt, that’s why the Pharaoh started killing baby boys. 

My point is that whether you think Barack Obama is more like Pharaoh or more like King David, God is still the one in control. 

God made a king eat grass (Daniel 4:33); he can still do whatever he wants.

The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD: he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases. Proverbs 21:1

Whether you are happy or sad, if you think the country is on the right track or the wrong one – God is still in charge.

Whether you believe Obama will follow God more than a Mormon or vice versa, God is still in charge. If you believe Obama to be insincere in his professed Christianity – listen to one of my favorite writers (the author of the Message paraphrase of the Bible).

Eighteen hundred years or so of Hebrew history, capped by a full exposition in Jesus Christ, tell us that God's revelation of himself is rejected far more often than it is accepted, is dismissed by far more people than embrace it, and has been either attacked or ignored by every major culture or civilization in which it has given its witness: magnificent Egypt, fierce Assyria, beautiful Babylon, artistic Greece, political Rome, Enlightenment France, Nazi Germany, Renaissance Italy, Marxist Russia, Maoist China, and pursuit-of-happiness America. The community of God's people has survived in all of these cultures and civilizations but always as a minority, always marginal to the mainstream, never statistically significant. — Author and pastor, Eugene Peterson

He also said,

The Apostle Peter specifically calls the people of Christ not only to show submission to authorities, but to -

Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. I Peter 2:13-14

The Apostle Paul calls on the churches to pray and to show thanksgiving for kings and for “all who are in high positions.”

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. I Timothy 2:1-2

So if you are a believer who is happy today, congratulations. I hope you are right, but ultimately my faith is in another Kingdom anyway. If you are an unhappy believer today – let’s pray for President Obama. Let’s not give ourselves to terms of disrespect or every crazy conspiracy theory that floats across the Internet – “that we may lead peaceful and quiet lives in godly and dignified ways.”

And let’s remember where our trust ultimately lies…

But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me.  Psalm 13:5

Either way – that will always be true.

Tim

Comments

[Paula]

Thank you so much! There is no doubt why GOD Chose you. GOD Bless you : )

[Cecelia]

Those were my ideas as I awoke this morning. God has His reasons, and He is in control. Praise the Lord! Forever and ever! Cee

[Brian Jennings]

Thank you for sharing. Excellent.

[april]

well said.

[Christie]

Amen

[Karin]

Amen.

[Linda Kruschke]

My friend April suggested I read this after she saw my post this morning. I'm glad she did. This is a very well written and thoughtful post. I especially like the Eugene Peterson quote. It is a good reminder of who we are in Christ. Peace, Linda

[Kathy]

Yes. Peace.

[Debbie]

This is what I sent out to some of my friends yesterday morning. It's reassuring to know we're on the same page.
Please pray for God's will for our next President. I am praying for whoever God puts in charge. That God will give him wisdom, guidance & strength. That he will honor God & trust in Him with our nation. Please remember, that as Christians, we should respect whomever God chooses as the leader of our nation and we should be praying for him. Non-believers are watching us. No matter who is President, Christ is King!

[Sherrell]

I wasn't sure how to feel this morning, but after reading this post I feel at ease knowing God is in control. Thanks!

[Larry]

Thanks for that reminder Tim, I needed that.

--Larry McManus

[Kim]

Needed to hear this! I got on our church website hoping to see something like this. Feeling very angry in this household tonight with fear of the future of America but we need to remember that Jesus knows best and he will take care of things. Thanks!

[Kayser]

Remember that God gave us free will, so he did not choose the President, but He allowed the electorate to make that choice. We pray that the right choice was made and if not, that the Holy Spirit will greatly influence the situation to bring glory to God our Father.

[Lori Z.]

Well said PT! Thank You for posting!

[Carrie Lyons]

Thank you for this...it is exactly what our world needs more of! Prayers for our country and it's leaders.

[B]

I appreciated your recommendation to vote for what GOD wants in the election. I do wonder, however, about how carefully believers are considering the REALLY important issues in an election...life of the unborn, marriage between a man and a woman, and religious freedom. I agree that God is in control, but even believers need to be educated about what really matters!

[Mark Fleszewski]

You mentioned in the last story from last weeks sermon about Moses not being able to enter the promise land. The reason being God was angry with Moses for striking the rock for drinking water instead of talking to it. We discussed it at Bible study and we came up with an anology to the crucificion of Jesus. God asked Moses to strike the rock the first time and it would give living water. The second time he simple asked Moses to speak to it and it would give living water. Jesus is our rock and the giver of our living water. The first strike was symbolic of Jesus being struck down for our sins. After Jesus being struck by sacrifice we simple need to speak to Jesus. There is no longer a need to strike our rock. It was already done. God was angry because Moses didn't get it. It really doesn't matter because, like you pointed out, Moses may have not been allowed to enter the promise land but he left earth for heaven. Promise land or Heaven...? I will take heaven every time. God Bless and last week sermon was very good.

[Mike Sierra]

Very encouraging words thanks so much Pastor Tim.

[Sam Akel]

I read bible verses and psalms and prayed all day on Tuesday, November 6, 2012. I prayed for the Lord to guide the misguided. Repel the evil. Guide us, as a people, down the road to re-establishing his will and Law to the ignorant. Unfortunately, I believe the Lord looked down upon the masses and said, "There are too many misuguided and idol worshipers here! They will have to deal with the consequences."

The Day after, I prayed again all day that the good Lord will, as he has always done, will fufill the needs of all who obey and punish those who do not believe in him and his Word. I asked for his comfort for the upcoming times that are most likely going to be the most difficult for so many. I know God will support, carry and guide me through these days!

[Dot Duke Hardacker]

I agree with you that God has ultimate control, but he also gives us choices to make. I believe that Isaiah 5:18-23 says it best. How can I pray for a man that is teaching our future generations(my g'g'children)that the bible is not true, same sex marriage, just any God, he puts a political ad on national TV that explains your first sexual encounter, he likens it to the first time you vote, this man is no example to me nor to my children. I cannot pray for God to change me to accept this man, I do now believe He expects me to. Tuesday, Nov. 6th was the darkest day I beleive American christians has ever seen and it is only going to get worse. I could care less about the erconomy, I care about the morals of my country, United States of America. God bless America

[Paula]

God does not expect you to accept any man. He doesn't say that in scripture. He says to pray for the leaders in power, and to obey our authorities -- not to accept the imperfect/sinful man. You are right about our country's morals, etc. All the more to pray for those that are lost, those in power, and to pray for His protection over the faithful. We pray and pray, and then keep praying. If people made the wrong choice, then we pray that their eyes will be opened even now, that they may not continue being deceived. Also, the Bible says His "mercy is greater than his justice" - so I pray for his mercy, gracy, and favor, for the sake of the righteous few. But God WILL work it all to His glory.

[Frank Barnes]

In the latest election we had a Muslim and a Mormon, both are lost and will die and go to hell unless they repent of their sins and receive Jesus. They both are in high places and from God's perspective where much is given, much is required. I believe God's word applies to all men regardless of whether or not they believe it or not. If following His precepts brings blessings regardless of being saved or not begs the opposite. We are still held accountable for the word, ignorance is not bliss! If this is the case and by their actions they are obviously not saved, then we cannot expect Godly decisions and they all the more need our prayers as they are more blind than they think they are. We wanted the Mormon because he chose morally correct/ more Biblically right stances. Even if he had won, without the Holy Spirit would not make all Biblically right decisions. In the end game we would still have the " lesser of two evils" both still needing our prayers for mercy and grace. Good morals from a Mormon would still not bring the bar high enough for one where much is given, much is required.

[Jeremy Clifford]

AMEN!

[Jephiter]

We are far more in the same situation in Kenya. Please pray for us. Our beautiful nation is divided than never before.

This article is helpful and I will share with my fellow Kenyans.

Thank you.