If you have ever had a prodigal child, it can be excruciating to watch him speed one hundred miles an hour in the wrong direction toward a wreck you can see miles ahead. You may plead, warn, yell, even forcibly detain, but his heart is bent toward his way, and nothing will stop him. As the father in Luke 15 did, parents have little choice but to let adult children go, praying that God will intervene.
Similarly, American Christians may view our country in much the same way. The humanist worldview has gained the largest majority in our nation’s history. This worldview seeks to throw off any restraint that might limit the desires of one’s heart. The goal is to remove any obstacle that might slow them from speeding as fast as they can away from the moral or religious boundaries once considered normal. The sure destruction to come is excruciating to watch, and it will not only affect those driving the agenda. America’s eventual downfall will affect the entire world.
How should Christians respond to the worldview driving America away from the anchors of morality and personal responsibility? Righteous anger can quickly turn into unrighteous actions. Social media displays this folly all too often, as believers disrespectfully slander those leading the country in the wrong direction. Using Bible verses or religious language, believers invoke God’s coming judgment like a vengeful hammer. Political posts become a playground fight accomplishing nothing but kicking up a lot of dust.
Election years can create so much stress, frustration, bitterness, and even apathy. Christians must anchor their minds to God’s truth so that they might remain a source of reason in a world gone mad. Returning to our prodigal analogy, we must remember that God allows free will. God allows people to choose life without Him. He has NEVER forced anyone to do His will or to follow Him.
This does not mean, however, that He will remove the consequences of rejecting His way. The Biblical principle of sowing and reaping from Galatians 6:7-9 cannot be avoided. Like the prodigal in Luke 15, there will be a time when the friends leave and the parties cease and one is left with nothing but the ashes of the choices made.
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Continuing to reflect on Luke 15, we are also reminded that we serve a God who longs for prodigals to return. He is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9) God desires our hearts to reflect His in this same way. We warn, but out of a heart of God’s love. Our job never changes, no matter who the political majority is. Because a Christian’s home is in heaven, this world is merely a journey of service to the One who saved us from the destruction to come.
Do not misunderstand me. Christians should still vote. We must stand for truth even when it is unpopular. But we also must remember who the enemy is, and who it is not. The opposing political party is not our enemy. Our neighbors are not our enemies. Even those who proudly proclaim their rights to live as they please are not our enemies. The Christian’s enemy is still Satan, who knows how to deceive us into thinking our anger works God’s righteousness. James 1:20 reminds us, “For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.”
Here are a few of the verses God has reminded me of as the election cycle whirls into its usual tizzy.
On God’s Control:
The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water:
he turneth it whithersoever he will. Proverbs 21:1
Lift not up your horn on high:
speak not with a stiff neck.
For promotion cometh neither from the east,
nor from the west, nor from the south.
But God is the judge:
he putteth down one, and setteth up another.
For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup, and the wine is red;
it is full of mixture; and he poureth out of the same:
but the dregs thereof, all the wicked of the earth shall wring them out, and drink them. Psalm 75:5-8
On Peace through every circumstance:
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace,
whose mind is stayed on thee:
because he trusteth in thee.
Trust ye in the Lord for ever:
for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength: Isaiah 26:3-4
Great peace have they which love thy law:
and nothing shall offend them. Psalm 119:165
On God’s eternal perspective:
By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Hebrews 11:8-10
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 Corinthians 4:17-5:1
On God’s instructions in reaching out to those who oppose themselves:
And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. 2 Timothy 2:24-26
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. 1 Peter 3:15-16
Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. Philippians 2:14-16
On the inevitable persecution to come:
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. Matthew 5:10-12
Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. John 15:20
Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Romans 12:14
Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 2 Timothy 3:12
On Prayer:
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. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4
I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. 1 Timothy 2:8
Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:14-16
On Engaging the Enemy:
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Ephesians 6:11-13
Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. Jude 8-9
I hope this Bible study is as helpful for you as it was for me. I will attach a PDF of the verses so that you can print them as a handy resource. Please share any verses that help you stay your mind on what is true and unchanging in uncertain times!
Have a blessed three day weekend, my friends!
His Song in the Night 