Pride & Prejudice ... and Politics (and wisdom from Marilla)

Last night millions of Americans held their breath as they awaited the fate of our country's future. When it was all said and done, a lot of people I know were pretty let down (though I have close friends on both sides of the fence); the person they thought could save our country from its moral and economic tailspin had just lost.

So what now?

Here are some thoughts.

Christians, do not forget your Leader. "I know, I know! God is still Lord and He's still in charge of His people-- I know! But that doesn't mean I want my country to go to the dogs."

Neither do I, but listen up-- do you think God could have changed the outcome of the election if He wanted to? Of course He could have, "...the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will." (Dan. 4:32) Sometimes God just gives people what they deserve. Maybe this leader is what our nation deserves. Maybe God allowed it because He wants to see if His people will still trust Him, no matter how hard things get. I don't really know, I'm not God. I do know, however, that blaming people isn't going to do any good. Perhaps the outcome of this election is a sad reflection of the state of our society-- that does grieve me, but does it change who I am in Christ? Only if I allow it to embitter me and destroy my witness and my faith; if I allow that, then the enemy has truly won.

If you're feeling particularly down because of the election, then just say this with me...

So what!? Has God changed? Is Jesus Christ still on his throne? Am I still a part of God's kingdom? Is His government still just and moral? Will God's promises still apply to me even when the world in which we live changes? YES! "For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed." Malachi 3:6 . What hurts the rest of the world, is not going to hurt God's people! "A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee." Psalm 91:7

Thank goodness we do not serve a fickle God. His kingdom is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Maybe God doesn't want us to get too comfortable in this world, because He wants us to remember that IT IS NOT OUR HOME. If your heart is broken because SOME MAN isn't sitting on the earthly throne in the oval office, then perhaps, dearest friends, you need to reconsider your values. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Luke 12:34)

Are you worried about our country's future? Please carefully read this passage from Matthew 6...

²⁵ Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

²⁶ Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

²⁷ Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

²⁸ And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:

²⁹ And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

³⁰ Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

³¹ Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

³² (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

³³ But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

³⁴ Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Maybe life is going to get harder for us. Are we going to whine about it or rise to the occasion and LIVE HARDER FOR GOD? Maybe Christians have been too pampered in America and we've grown complacent, so God is giving us a wake up call. Jesus said we would have persecution, and He said to REJOICE when we do. This world is only getting darker, so it's time for Christians to start shining stronger. It is so important that we know where we stand-- on the Rock, Jesus Christ, or we will fall. Don't let bits of sand, faith in mankind, sneak into your foundation. God wants to know if He has your heart. "It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes." Psalm 118:9 Don't let the results of this election bring division, do not let it embitter you against your brothers and sisters in Christ for not voting how you thought they should or for not voting at all. It's not worth it.

You want to change our nation? Do it from the core up. Change the hearts of the people-- tell them about Jesus Christ. Tell them to depart from sin. Then pray, because prayer is more powerful than a ballot.

"Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people." Prov. 14:34

As Marilla Cuthbert might say (if she lived in the US), "'The sun will keep on rising and setting' whether a Democrat or a Republican is president."

Now, go watch a good movie like Pride and Prejudice, and remember that even when things look poorly, we're not seeing the big picture, and sometimes --always-- God is working, whether we see it or not.

Yours Thoughtfully,

aRose