Over the following 30 days, the nation will be focused on who will fill the highest office in the land.
According to polls, the country is divided down the middle on this topic and so many other important
issues. It is possible for this division to slip into the Church and for followers of Jesus self-segregate into
camps of blue and red and purple. But we know that the Lord’s desire is for His people to be united; to
be one. That was His prayer just before He went to the cross in the life-giving, sacrificial act that would
allow us to be baptized into one family of faith.
Jesus reminds us in Mark 3 that a Kingdom divided against itself cannot stand. It will fall apart.
Although the politics and elections of our nation are important, we must not allow these things to divide
us. Instead, we must stand united under a higher authority than a president or governor. We stand
united under the Lordship of King Jesus. Ultimately, He is the one who places and controls leaders of
nations.
How should we as Christians approach these times? The first place we must start is with an examination
of our hearts. Like King David in Psalm 139 we must say, “Search me, God, and know my heart; test
me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the
way everlasting.” What kind of hearts should we as believers have in turbulent times? Not
hearts that are anxious or angry but hearts of Trust, Unity, and Prayer.
1. A Heart of Trust
Psalm 146:3 says, “Do not put your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no
salvation.” Proverbs 3:5 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own
understanding.” It is easy for us to unknowingly begin to shift our trust from God to a political
party or leader. Although it is good for us to be informed and to raise our voice for truth we
should do that while at the same time keeping our ultimate hope in the Lord. Psalm 146:5 says,
“Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God.” One of the
best ways to keep your heart grounded in the right place is to be in God’s Word of Truth daily.
Make a commitment, for the next 30 days, to meditate on the good news in God’s Word
before tuning in to the not-so-good news of the world.
2. A Heart for Unity
In Ephesians 4, the Apostle Paul writes from prison and he tell the believers in Ephesus, “I therefore, a
prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been
called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to
maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Often we find it easy to distance ourselves from
other believers who have different views than we do. Worse, we might even find ourselves disparaging
them behind their backs or on social media. These actions do not show that we are ‘eager to maintain
unity’. Let’s put the unity of the body ahead of our own desires to vent or be heard. Instead of
throwing shade or blasting others on social media, let’s go old school and meet with people in person.
Make a commitment, for the next thirty days, to share your opinion ‘with all humility and gentleness
and patience.’
3. A Heart of Prayer
In I Timothy 2, the Apostle Paul urges 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.” When we pray for our leaders, we are obeying God and showing that we trust Him to
guide those in authority. Depending on where you live, you may feel like your vote won’t make
that big of a practical difference. But when you pray, you are accomplishing more than you
could ever do on your own by asking God to be the difference-maker. Make a commitment,
for the next 30 days, to pray for those in authority and in ‘high positions; that the Lord
would direct their hearts to make wise and godly decisions.
My prayer for the Church as we approach the end of 2020 is that we will be more united than ever
before and that the peace of King Jesus will reign in our hearts!
