Daniel 2:20-21 - “Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding.”
Having just endured one of the most heated presidential races in United States history, it is clear that we live in a very divided nation. Some individuals are pleased with the results, to say the least; while others insist that the election's outcome means the end of the world as we know it.
From the standpoint of a genuine, Christian perspective, there are a few things of which I would like to remind Christians. These reminders will serve as both an exhortation and an encouragement.
1) First and foremost, never forget that God is on the throne. It is He who sets up kings and removes them! Consider the above text, Daniel 2:20-21. If a leader is not removed, it is ultimately because God did not remove them. The Bible plainly declares this truth. If God saw fit to leave a man in office, we should rejoice in the wisdom of God.
2) In the New Testament, there were no elected presidents, but rather totalitarian emperors who ruled with hostility. Yet, this did not hinder the church! The church of Jesus Christ suffered great persecution. However, the church grew in spite of this persecution! You never find Paul the apostle asking Timothy to pray that the next emperor would be a Christian emperor. The apostles were simply interested in doing the will of God. We should have the same attitude. No matter what president is elected, we should be about the Father's business.
3) Although the New Testament church was persecuted and flourished under such persecution, it is not godly to wish for persecution. I understand that Christians in the United States have loved and enjoyed their freedoms - and rightly so. We are commanded to pray for our leaders, that we have a PEACEABLE LIFE, not a life of persecution! I Timothy 2:1-2 - “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”
4) It is not enough to pray for our leaders, but speak of them respectfully. Both Peter and Jude speak of them who are “not afraid to speak evil of dignities (II Peter 2:10; Jude 8).” Paul refers to civil leaders as the “minister of God.” It is not required for us to like our leaders, but it IS required of us as Christians to pray for, and respect our leaders.
5) Remember that we are living in the last days, and the Bible plainly teaches that in the last days of God's dealings with the church, the world will get worse, not better. This, of course, does not mean that we accept defeat. We will still preach the truth. We will still present the gospel to the lost in an effort to win them to Christ. As hostility and hatred towards the true Chruch increases, the church of Jesus Christ should increase its evangelistic efforts! Daniel teaches us that, in the Great Tribulation, the antichrist will do exploits. This simply means that the antichrist will be working! But, Daniel also notes, that, during that same time, there will be those who know their God, and they, too, will DO EXPLOITS! This shows us that when the devil is at work, God is at work! Where sin abounded, grace did MUCH MORE ABOUND!
5) Remember that we are living in the last days, and the Bible plainly teaches that in the last days of God's dealings with the church, the world will get worse, not better. This, of course, does not mean that we accept defeat. We will still preach the truth. We will still present the gospel to the lost in an effort to win them to Christ. As hostility and hatred towards the true Chruch increases, the church of Jesus Christ should increase its evangelistic efforts! Daniel teaches us that, in the Great Tribulation, the antichrist will do exploits. This simply means that the antichrist will be working! But, Daniel also notes, that, during that same time, there will be those who know their God, and they, too, will DO EXPLOITS! This shows us that when the devil is at work, God is at work! Where sin abounded, grace did MUCH MORE ABOUND!
6) Love your country! I have met people in my walk through this life who insist that it is sinful for a person to express any kind of patriotism. Away with such foolishness! Daniel prayed one of the most powerful prayers in the Bible in Daniel 9. It was a prayer born out of deep love and a heavy burden for his own people - the Jews! Paul stated that his desire for Israel is, that they might be saved! Jeremiah was called the weeping prophet; not because he wept over the Assyrians or the Babylonians, but because he wept over HIS OWN PEOPLE! And I love the people of this great nation, and will pray for my own nation before I pray for any other nation.
7) While we love and pray for our nation, remember that God is a God of justice and judgment. We cannot kill over fifty million babies without stirring the wrath of God. We cannot redefine marriage, shaking our fist in the face of God, calling His definition of marriage a lie, and expect to get by with it. When God cannot find enough righteousness in our land, He will turn this nation upside down with His divine judgment. Until judgment comes, God's people must pray for a revival in the land. We must pray for God to shake us, and awaken us to His truths.
8) Remember - though it is a dark time in which we live, those who live in the thickest darkness are the ones who need light the most! God didn't call us to be a light where everyone is a Christian; He called us to be a light in the dark! America has seen better days, but what a privilege to let our light so shine in THIS DAY IN TIME! Think of it: God trusted you and me to be His light in the present darkness! We know that the night is dark and long, but God saw that you and I, with the power of the Holy Ghost, could shine for our Lord in the hour in which we live! So be encouraged! Let your light so shine before men!
