The votes are in!
November 6th, 2008 Posted in Pastor's corner, encouragement, sermonsThe election is over and America has decided. We have a new President-elect, Barack Obama.
So what should be the posture of believers at this point? Scripture commands us to pray for those who rule over us.
BTW, this is something we should do, whether we voted for them or not!
Pray that the Lord will give our future President wisdom in the decisions he will make. And remember this, God is in control. Things will fall into their proper place as God brings about the events He said would transpire before His return.
Remember, history is “His story.”
A new administration
In the book of Daniel, we read about a transition of power where one administration was passing and a new one was arriving. In Daniel’s case, Darius was the new ruler over Babylon.
So what did the prophet do? Daniel studied the Scripture and prayed. But what is interesting is that Daniel prayed for himself and repented of his personal sin, as we read in Daniel 9:
It was the first year of the reign of Darius the Mede, the son of Ahasuerus, who became king of the Babylonians. During the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, was studying the writings of the prophets. I learned from the word of the LORD, as recorded by Jeremiah the prophet, that Jerusalem must lie desolate for seventy years.
So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and fasting. I wore rough sackcloth and sprinkled myself with ashes. I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed: “O Lord, you are a great and awesome God! You always fulfill your promises of unfailing love to those who love you and keep your commands. But we have sinned and done wrong. We have rebelled against you and scorned your commands and regulations. (NLT)
Two extremes
You can read the rest of Daniel 9 to see what else the prophet prayed for. But that is what we need to be doing right now as Christians, praying. The election is over, the voting is done, and the decision has been made.
Sometimes, believers can go too far one of two directions when it comes to elections, voting, and even politics in general.
One extreme is to not participate at all, and thus miss the opportunity to make a real difference with your vote and be the best influence you can be for godly principles. I’m glad enough people voted to say “Yes” to Proposition 8 here in California, because we believe in God’s order for marriage!
America has voted for change
The other extreme is to make politics your passion instead of Christ! Where you become more focused on these things instead of your primary mission, which is to preach the gospel.
America has voted for change. What that change will be remains to be seen. But the only way to bring lasting change is when it happens in the heart. And government cannot do that for us, only Christ can.
One day, He will come back and take “The government upon His shoulder” (Isaiah 9:6). But for now, we have mankind doing the job, and it will always disappoint, regardless of your party affiliation.
This Sunday at Harvest
This Sunday at Harvest, I want to talk about how the early Church used prayer so effectively, and how we can do the same, especially in these days ahead. My message will be titled “The Power of Prayer” and it is part of my series Upside-Down Living.
Dear Pastor Greg,
Thank you for helping us to stay in an attitude of prayer. I find myself very upset at times when I go all the way back to our founding fathers–but I am reminded that GOD is still in control and I shall not fear but trust in HIM.
I happen to live in Florida and I am very thankful that the majority here voted for marriage to be that of a man and a woman. Praise God for that!
I am soooo thankful for you and your family. I am still praying for the Lord to help and comfort each one of you during this time of grieving.
Renee
Hi Pastor Greg,
Thank you for writing this blog after the election. It has been encouraging to me. I spent election day in prayer and fasting, and although I stopped fasting after the polls closed, I have still been praying.
-Anne
These cries for change in our society remind me of the Israelites’ cry for a change in their diet. They persisted in their complaints, revealing their unthankful hearts and discontentedness. God responds by giving them what they wanted–in huge portions. This left them unsatisfied still and some sick unto death.
I pray that we as a body would be content and thankful for God’s perfect will for us. I hope that the thought of anything less than God’s best would bring dread to our hearts.
I reminded my 9 yr. old son that God raised Pharaoh up so that God’s glory would be displayed. At bedtime he prayed,”and thank you God that we have a president.”
We know that our life’s purpose as Christians is to bring God glory. Today, I plan to do that by being thankful that I live in a democratic country and by being content with His will.
Hi Pastor Greg
Thanks for your words of wisdom. I am fully putting my hope and trust in God.
Thanks again
Mike
A great word of encouragement. Do not lose heart. God is on the throne. Amen amen amen.
Hi Greg!
Thanks for the encouragement! Totally needed to hear this today.
Thank you, Greg, for this post. It is hard to remember that God is in control when an election like this one happens. I really needed the reminder.
I was encouraged by your blog today and those posted.
For sure. Sometimes I get overly focused on the political battles; who’s winning/losing, who’s abusing their power, who’s not trying hard enough…
Oy, this plank in my eye.
Let my heart sing of thankfullness instead.
Shalom, Lori
Hi Pastor Greg,
Thank you for your encouragement! I was really disappointed in the decision our country made this week. I truly think we are in the process of the Lord’s return. I’m curious what the bible says about the antichrist in the last days? Embarassingly, I haven’t studied my bible well enough to know. Anyway, all I can do is pray; pray for this country. God is in control. I fully hope and trust in the Lord. I also noticed that President-elect Obama did not thank God once in his acceptance speech–interesting…
Dear Greg,
Thank you for posting your message of encouragement. We know who are real leader is and that is God. With all that is going on in this world we thank our Lord for giving us the hope and promise that he will be with us every step of the way. Praise God!
You and your entire family are in our prayers and we appreciate you very much.
Candy & Joe Yorba Linda, CA.
Pastor Greg, I kindly thank you for those encouraging words. God is indeed in charge of our lives, of our nation, and all we really need to do is give Him all the glory and wait on our Lord Jesus for His coming!
This election really has brought out emotions and energy in us. I honestly was so pooped out, trying to understand why others think the way they think, especially in regards to proposition 8. I should’ve been seeking His word and trusting in Him more. There may still be oppositions and persecutions, but the fact that Jesus is always with us, to guide us and strengthen us, will never, ever change.
Pastor Greg,
I’m looking forward to hearing your message on the power of prayer. I know myself, as well as many others, will be blessed by the message.
Dear Pastor Greg,
Thank you again for your encouraging words of hope. The presence of our Lord was there and due to the power of prayer, our prayer was answered. I am however saddened by the Prop 4 vote. I toss over and over why our voters would want to save the animals in cages but not want to save our Lord’s children in our minor children’s bodies….only our Lord knows. Please pray for our nation and our President.
As an outsider, I feel I must try to remind you that change from what exists is not always bad… think of where we are today; couldn’t it be better? Shouldn’t we, citizens all, take at least some measure of comfort in knowing that this person that has been elected to office wants to do right by all all of us?
He may fail, but if he does, in part it will be because we, the citizens of this country were not there to help… we didn’t try hard enough.
What a blessing to pour over Daniel 9 for guidance in these times. I have found the Harvest Daily Devotions to meet me where I am every day I have received them — without fail!
In my personal devotions I am traveling with Jacob (Israel) and his sons to Goshen and it struct me how similar some things are. Joseph was sold into slavery by his own brothers, but God used it for His good to save the line of our King through a terrible famine so He could deliver them into the promised land after many more years of trial and slavery. We live in a dying world, but I think we should look to see what good work the Lord will work through us.
In Christ,
Ken C.
Attleboro, Ma
In response to “a responsible person”-
No, change is not always bad. After all our whole goal in life as Christians is to be transformed into the image of Christ. The problem here is that this well-meaning individual is not like-minded with our faith. That’s why there’s disappointment.
I think you’re on the right track as far as the success of our society goes. If we have a sleeping faith what good are we going to be. I can’t help but think that propositions 4 and 8 even being issues are a result of our mediocrity as a whole. As far as his failure or success being dependant upon our involvement, I’m not convinced.
Dear Pastor Greg,
My husband and I were at church this morning listening to the message you presented and we were wondering what translation you were reading from when you read Acts 12:6-19?
Thank you,
Laura
Hello Pastor Greg,
In times such as these, I’m reminded of Deut. 31:15-20 and shudder to think of what lies ahead for us. You’re absolutely right that prayer from us is critical. We’re at almost 50,000,000 lost little babies since Roe v Wade. That number is staggering — more people murdered I believe than were killed in all the wars combined that have ever been fought (certainly those in which we have been involved). Our Judeo-Christian history shows us that the Lord doesn’t long stand such atrocities committed against innocents without some corrective action imposed upon the nation that perpetrates such crimes. Prayer yes. Prayer coupled with fasting even better.
Dear Pastor Greg, thank you for your encouraging post after the election. I agree with you that God’s plan is perfect and history is His-story. I am already amazed seeing Him using this election for His purposes – I am talking to many Christians who have been humbled, and many non-Christians who have new hope and are saying, “Maybe there is a God … ” I’m excited to see what is in store for us, and will continue to pray for God to direct our administration in accordance with His will.
Hi, Pastor Greg. I just wanted to thank you for emphasizing the importance of how real change must start from within when you stated, “But the only way to bring lasting change is when it happens in the heart.” Your understanding of God’s truth is refreshing and it reminds me of Mahatma Gandhi who once asserted, “We must become the change we want to see.” Thinking of my God (Jesus Christ), I cannot argue with this wisdom. I think a lot of us–even self-professed Christians–tend to lose sight of how important it is to fully submit ourselves to the Lord to ensure that His work is done on our hearts first before we set out into the world with the expectation of winning others’ hearts to Him. I think as Christians we often set ourselves up for disappointment by putting such high expectations on others rather than on ourselves after we’ve heard and accepted the gospel. It is only through effectively and faithfully modeling ourselves after Jesus’ perfect example through patience, understanding, and humility, that we are to inspire and be considered credible to non-believers and rightfully prepared to win others’ hearts to Christ. We ought to be so in love with God that we are meditating on His word constantly and desiring to walk with Him personally without compromise daily, because, unless we are willing to have the right heart in our own walk with Him both in spirit and in truth by wholeheartedly committing ourselves to refining our own relationship with Him first, we should not expect to make a difference outside of ourselves anywhere else. It’s true, in the words of Leo Tolstoy, “Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.” Just as scripture would attest: …unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3 (NIV)
Love this comment Pastor Greg and yes, God is in control. AMEN!
Blessings ~
“America has voted for change. What that change will be remains to be seen. But the only way to bring lasting change is when it happens in the heart. And government cannot do that for us, only Christ can.
One day, He will come back and take “The government upon His shoulder” (Isaiah 9:6). But for now, we have mankind doing the job, and it will always disappoint, regardless of your party affiliation.”