Seasons
The seasons are changing. Fall is not too far away, and we have already had just a little taste of cooler weather to come. Football season is about to begin in earnest, from the littlest peewees to the professionals. Hurricane season is underway, and Isaac has wreaked lots of havoc. And we are now deep into election season. (There just might be a comparison to be made between hurricane and election season, but I'll leave that to you!)
With the Republican convention in swing and with the Democrats soon to follow, election coverage dominates the news. Each side promises to solve all the nation's problems. If we just vote the right way, everything will be perfect in America again. (Although I am pretty sure that perfection has never happened and is impossible for any leader to attain.)
We ask, "Who will be best for me? Who will solve my problems?" We wonder who will best fix the economy so that our retirement is safe. Those questions are certainly not new to this election or to this time.
"Many are asking, 'Who can show us any good?'" Psalm 4:6a
But are those questions really the ones God would have us ask? Maybe the question for us is less about elections than about our own hearts.
After all, do we pray that God will bless those who are already in authority as we are told to do in 1 Timothy? Do we trust that God is in control, and that he can use anyone he so chooses? Do we truly believe that God is Sovereign regardless of who is in Congress or the White House? Could it be that prayer is a more powerful tool than the ballot?
It might be that God uses the political season to remind us that leaders come and go, but he is always here. Maybe he is reminding us that he is always in power, regardless of who is leading our state or our country. Do we forget that he has always used whomever he chooses--from Pharaoh to David to Mannassah to Xerxes to Herod?
So, I choose to trust God in election season just as I trust him in the other seasons of life. I will pray that his will be done, and I will pray that he blesses those who are already in positions of leadership and give thanks for their service.
God is still faithful.
"Let the light of your face shine upon us, O LORD." Psalm 4:6b
"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone--for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." 1 Timothy 2:1-4
With the Republican convention in swing and with the Democrats soon to follow, election coverage dominates the news. Each side promises to solve all the nation's problems. If we just vote the right way, everything will be perfect in America again. (Although I am pretty sure that perfection has never happened and is impossible for any leader to attain.)
We ask, "Who will be best for me? Who will solve my problems?" We wonder who will best fix the economy so that our retirement is safe. Those questions are certainly not new to this election or to this time.
"Many are asking, 'Who can show us any good?'" Psalm 4:6a
But are those questions really the ones God would have us ask? Maybe the question for us is less about elections than about our own hearts.
After all, do we pray that God will bless those who are already in authority as we are told to do in 1 Timothy? Do we trust that God is in control, and that he can use anyone he so chooses? Do we truly believe that God is Sovereign regardless of who is in Congress or the White House? Could it be that prayer is a more powerful tool than the ballot?
It might be that God uses the political season to remind us that leaders come and go, but he is always here. Maybe he is reminding us that he is always in power, regardless of who is leading our state or our country. Do we forget that he has always used whomever he chooses--from Pharaoh to David to Mannassah to Xerxes to Herod?
So, I choose to trust God in election season just as I trust him in the other seasons of life. I will pray that his will be done, and I will pray that he blesses those who are already in positions of leadership and give thanks for their service.
God is still faithful.
"Let the light of your face shine upon us, O LORD." Psalm 4:6b
"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone--for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." 1 Timothy 2:1-4
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