November 6th, 2024
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.
1 Timothy 2:1–6
Like most of you, I woke up this morning and read that Donald Trump has won the 2024 presidential election. Whether that has been welcomed as good or bad news in your home, I would like to remind you all about a couple of things we ought to do, and a couple of things we ought to avoid as the news continues to come in.
We Ought To: (see Matthew 5:43-48)
Pray and give thanks, not just for our ability to participate in the political arena through voting, but also for the candidates chosen by the American people.
Rejoice if we woke up to find our anxieties relieved or even our hopes achieved by the electoral news this morning - it is no sin to thank God and rejoice for it.
Rest in God’s unfailing providence if our preferred candidates were not elected. Our Lord has proven time and time again that he can work great good through ordinary and even less-than-ordinary means. God’s faithfulness throughout history gives us every confidence that none of his plans will fail.
We Ought to Avoid: (see 1 Corinthians 12:14-26)
Gloating; Joy and gloating are different: the first celebrates what has occurred, while the second celebrates the loss of others. It should be no surprise that our political differences and even divisions are present within the church - so I exhort all of us to speak respectfully lest we cause unnecessary offense within our fellowship.
Resentment, which differs from grief. Some are joyful; some are mournful today - that is how it is. But resentment goes further than simple grief by removing us from fellowship with each other. We can differ and even disagree in fellowship - but to resent the differences (real or perceived) will inevitably sow division in the body of Christ
Revenge, which is nothing less than resentment “on the attack.” Speaking ill of those we voted against or those who voted differently from us ought to be unthinkable within the church. This doesn’t call us to paper over our differences. It should draw us into conversations that increase understanding, even though agreement might not be the result.
