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Conservative leaning Christians or progressive leaning Christians, I’m talking to all of us and everyone in between. 🙂  Since we now have a projected winner of the 2020 Presidential Election, let me share some truths God’s been calling me to hold onto that I believe He’s calling all of His Church to hold onto as well.

These truths will still stand for this election cycle and every one after, whether these election results are contested and reveal a different outcome or whether they stay the same, and regardless of who you voted for.

1. Cling to hope

It’s understandable to feel some disappointment when what you hoped and prayed to be God’s best scenario didn’t happen as expected or to feel excitement when it does happen. There’s nothing inherently wrong with either response.

May I suggest, though, that much of the emotional deflation and emotional exaggeration Christians of all political leanings experience in these moments is because of misplaced hope and allegiances?

Perhaps God, in His wisdom and mercy, wants to use the outcome of elections to weed some of those things out of our hearts.

Don’t put your confidence in powerful people; there is no help for you there…

(Psalm 146:3-5)

Where does your security lie for this life and the next?  Where does your expectation lie for what God can do in your life, in the Church and in the world? The answer should immediately, wholeheartedly, and unequivocally be “in Jesus,” not in circumstances.

We shouldn’t be quick to give up hope for our nation either, even with lots of doom and gloom messages out there. In 1 Corinthians 13, we learn an important truth about spiritual gifts and subjective insight from God: we know in part and we prophesy in part.

I personally believe we are in a critical time in America and in the world. I wholeheartedly believe that God can speak prophetically today about His plans, including for governments and nations, just like He did in the Bible. I believe He invites His people to share those insights and to pray for His plans to be accomplished, with humility and with accountability.

However, I believe all prophecy needs to be handled and evaluated according to the guidelines of Scripture. (1 Corinthians 14:29-33 // 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22) And, I believe that no Christian, with a prophetic ministry or not, has the authority to definitively say if and/or when “God is done with America.” (Or insert any other nation or situation into that statement)

They may be done with America based on who won an election or didn’t, or based on their limited human perspective of the circumstances they see, but God doesn’t feel that way.

There are seasons and situations when God’s discipline and judgment come upon nations for their unrepentant sinful actions. That truth alone should be enough to sober us and cause us to pray unceasingly for God’s mercy and healing in our land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)

We should acknowledge the ways in which our nation has strayed from God’s ways and be may in line for divine discipline (which is simply correction, meant to turn our hearts to repentance). We should not, however, be quick to equate the possibility of discipline with the possibility of destruction. They’re not the same thing.

So what do we do? We continue praying for salvation and the advancement of the gospel, for spiritual maturity in believers, for transformation of society by God’s power, for mercy and revival. We continue fellowshipping with believers, preaching the gospel and making disciples. We continue to care for and serve those in need.

And we leave the decision and result up to God as to what “He’s done with” and when–if that even happens at all, which I don’t imagine it will. We don’t have to presume to understand when God’s work in a nation is done and when it isn’t. Keep pressing in and seeking God according to His Word; let Him take care of the rest. 😉

2. Don’t stop praying

In a previous blog post, we studied the command in 1 Timothy 2:1-4 to pray for our governing leaders, for God’s will concerning society, and for God’s work to go forward in our nation no matter who is in office.

Proverbs 21:1 is another verse Christians love to pray when it comes to leaders and political issues. I love to pray it too.

The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the Lord; He guides it wherever He pleases.

(Proverbs 21:1)

As we pray we need to consider this: the “king’s” heart is still in the hand of the Lord, even if the candidate you preferred didn’t win the election, even if the person you may have prayed and believed to be God’s appointed person didn’t win.

You and I would do well to ask ourselves this question, regardless of whose administration is in power:

If we don’t see the king’s heart turning towards the ways of God and/or we experience challenges to God’s work in the world, is it because the Lord’s ability to hold and guide the heart of kings is dependent on the result of earthly elections?

Or, is it because a discouraged Church, who didn’t get the candidate we wanted, assumed God has now become uninterested and unable to work in the king’s heart and in the world and therefore has stopped praying for God to do so? I believe the latter is true.

I’m urging us fellow Jesus followers, let’s not make that mistake. Let’s not quit in prayerfulness and faith. Let’s not blame a lack of spiritual breakthrough in our nation on a politician, policy, or on a culture when in reality it’s our lack of persistent intercession and seeking God that’s also contributing to the problem. Don’t check out just because things may not have initially turned out the way you hoped, one way or the other.

In this season, I feel God challenging me that my devotion in intercessory prayer wouldn’t waver based on what circumstances look like or what kind of cultural environment I find myself in; I want to be faith-filled and faithful in prayer. I’m praying that God would form that same value and practice in you and in all His people.

Without question, leaders and policies and worldviews will affect to some extent whether God’s will and purposes are accomplished in the world with ease or with resistance. These are biblical concepts. Legislation and leadership matter.

The governments of this world are powerful, but there’s a higher government of which you and I are a part: God, on His throne, who intervenes in the affairs of earth through the prayers of His Church.

3. Stay on mission

Here’s a fear Christians struggle with every election cycle: What if, under the new administration, things get harder for Christians to live out our faith and spread the gospel? I’d encourage you to spend some time in 2 Timothy 3-4.

Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived.

 But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true…

(2 Timothy 3:12-14)

I love the exhortation God inspires Paul to give Timothy in these chapters and I believe it’s the same one God would give to us today. He essentially says this:

The culture is going to increasingly give itself over to sin and love of false teaching. Believers are going to suffer and be persecuted. But you know what?

You remain faithful to the things you were taught in the Scriptures because you know they are true. You preach the Word of God whether the season is favorable or not. You don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord, but work at telling others the Good News and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.

Our Christian call and mission don’t change with leaders, cultural and political climates, or with laws. No matter the ease or challenge of the environment, the Church is called and empowered to live as God’s people and do God’s work.

A Higher Citizenship

Whatever happens in this election or any other one, make sure your perspective and conduct are consistent with your identity as citizen of Heaven. (Philippians 1:27) What could Jesus do in our nation if you and I made this our main goal?!

Your Turn: In which of these areas do you feel God challenging you to grow the most? Spend some time today talking with Him about it and what practical steps you can take. Discuss this post in the comments below.

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