Since Election Day, I have seen first hand and read about the relief people all over the United States are feeling because of the results of the election. One person on social media captioned a picture of herself sitting in the woods by a stream, "For the first time in a long time. Embracing peace."
Relief has been expressed and peace has been found because the assumption is that now all the fighting will stop and dignity will return to the White House. Regardless of where you stand on this issue, I'd like to address this.
Many, Christians and non-Christians alike, are weary of all the fighting, constant bickering, name calling, etc which has flooded our country the past 4 years. We are weary of opposing forces constantly eroding our peace. I understand, I have felt the same way. In the midst of my prayer time, God dropped this encouragement into my heart the other day and I wanted to share it with you.
The viewpoint of most Christians is that the opposition we've seen has been generated by the forces of evil unleashed against the forces of good. This may sound simplistic to many, but it's the central theme of the Word of God. The Word of God and His truth is always being opposed. So, from that viewpoint, I submit that while it may look like the fighting will stop going forward with a new administration overseeing the United States, the enemy of our souls will never stop opposing the Word of God and His truth.
A Christian is engaged in warfare 24/7. Every. Single. Day.
We can never stop fighting unrighteousness wherever we encounter it. But our first battleground is our own hearts. Ephesians 6 tells us that we don't wrestle against flesh and blood and because we don't, the battle is never over. We fight powers, principalities and wickedness in high places. And those evil forces will not stop until Jesus comes to reign and rule permanently here on earth. Those forces will continually wage war in the hearts of man. If you have a relationship with Jesus, he will constantly and consistently seek to undermine your faith. If you are not in relationship with Jesus, he will constantly and consistently work to keep the truth hidden from you.
In Matthew 24, verses 3 and 4, the disciples asked Jesus, "Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you."
Now, I'm not saying this is the end of the world, but surely we are closer now than ever before. But what stands out to me in these verses is what Jesus said first and foremost - "take heed that no man deceive you." We should pay close attention to these words, because they imply that we can be deceived. Many other scriptures back this up. Applying this to today, we can be deceived into thinking that a mere man can control our freedoms; we can be deceived into believing that a mere man can mandate our future in our freedom to worship our God; we can be deceived into thinking that because the "right" man wasn't elected, all is lost; we can be deceived into believing that God is not hearing or answering our prayers, or thinking, what is taking Him so long to move on our behalf? In other words, doubt and unbelief can creep in and deceive us from the true character we know is found in our God.
So, right now, our fight is not for the presidency of the United States or for the soul of our country, although we should continue to pray that God will expose corruption and reveal truth, our fight is for the peace of our own souls.
Are you in a state of fear and anxiety because of the election results? Stop praying for the election results and start praying for yourself, confess your fear and anxiety to Him and pray that your peace and trust would be restored in God our Father. He never slumbers nor sleeps and He is not surprised about what is happening here. But I believe He's more concerned about the state of your heart than He is the result of our elections.
While opposing forces offer peace, it is only a temporary peace, because that peace is placed in the person who holds the presidency. Our peace lies in knowing the One who controls the universe. The peace that He offers is found not apart from chaos, but in the midst of chaos!
While I have continued to pray for our president and our country, I have stopped watching the news and most videos and am very selective in the articles I read. It is all speculation and opinions of man, pure lies at times and most times, just plain bad journalism and it only serves to erode my peace. I have fixed my eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of my faith, and I encourage you to do the same. Neither Donald Trump nor Joe Biden is my savior. Neither holds my future in their hands; neither contains my peace. Only Jesus is big enough to do that.
Let us be more concerned about our walk and relationship with Jesus than anything going on in our country right now. In the words of Paul,
"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Philippians 4:6-8
