The election is over and the results are in – Barack Obama has been chosen to be America’s 44th president.
21 months after announcing his candidacy, President-elect Obama has earned the right to take over the most powerful office in our country, indeed in the entire world. His winning the presidency is truly historic, the first person of African ancestry who will hold that position.
I’m not so much stunned by the unfolding of events, as I am disappointed with the results. Barack Obama ran an amazingly disciplined campaign, but his candidacy raised several questions that the media, indeed the general populace, chose to ignore.
These questions involved his past associations with some of the most stridently leftist people in our country, a politician with a track record of having a wanton disregard for unborn life, and someone who received vast funding from foreign sources which may have helped tip the election in his favor.
True, John McCain’s election bid had always been run in the shadow of the Bush presidency, a conflictingly divisive eight years of leadership where we saw our president heroically respond to terrorist attacks, launch wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, but also spend money like few liberals had done before him.
For the Christian, waking up this morning to a shifting political landscape can truly be disheartening. Have our prayers not been heard? Is our nation accelerating down the path of moral degradation? What does the future hold for us?
I cannot answer these and related questions, but I can continue to trust that Almighty God is most certainly aware of what is going on in our world and that He is in full control no matter who is in office. To that end, I will share with you three verses which are sustaining me now, scripture verses that underscore the authority of God and how we should respond during these times:
Isaiah 40:15 — Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing. During those times that I lose my perspective, I try to recall those verses which remind me of how God views things. Truly, our Maker loves the nations, but as far as their overall importance, they are of comparable insignificance to Him. Nations come and go, but our God shall reign forever. I certainly am an American, but my permanent citizenship is in heaven. Jesus is my Sovereign – he wasn’t elected by man.
Proverbs 21:1 — The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turns it wherever he will. We need to pray for our leaders, starting today for President-elect Obama. Judging by what Obama has said over the past several months, I can tell you that he takes scripture out of context and has an agenda that runs contrary to godly principles. But, God is sovereign and can change his heart, so let’s intercede on his behalf. Millions of Americans need a change of heart too – spiritually, that is.
2 Corinthians 10:4 — For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; How should we fight? In just one way – we pray. We do not war against flesh and blood, but against powers and principalities. Obama isn’t directly our enemy even if his intentions toward us may be less than honorable. For Christians, responding in love is the only way to handle any situation, but we need to ask God to flood our hearts with His redeeming love so that we might win souls to Him.
I’m not going to tell you how to deal with disappointment other than to lovingly remind you that God is in control. Do not allow anyone steal your joy and most definitely do not give up. Our battle all along was really never against people, rather against those unseen forces which continually seek to keep people from the loving embrace of Jesus Christ. In that battle remain engaged IF we do not give up!
Matt,
On my way from work (night shift that I actually quit today) I prayed for Obama.
There are many things I dislike about his record, and his stand on abortion in particular.
But if we believe that God can bring about a change of heart (Apostle Paul comes to mind), my prayer certainly is not waisted.
Wholeheartedly agree with you that we need to pray for our leaders. I believe that change brought about in the former Soviet Union was God’s answer to our prayers.
Thank you for your post.
Vlads last blog post..Redistribution Of Wealth = STEALING
Thank you for your comment, Vlad. I hope that you find work that is suitable for you.
I appreciate you bringing to mind Paul’s conversion. In his case, he widely persecuted believers, killing some, jailing others, doing great damage.
But, Jesus is sovereign and can and will set the course of history to go as He pleases. Some will think that Obama’s election is a divine appointment, but I believe that it could end up being a divine opportunity.
Matt,
I’ve been praying as part of the Presidential Prayer Team for several years. Now the prayer team is having 77 days of prayer for the new president—an e-mail arrives every morning with prayer points. I vowed when I started praying for President Bush that I would continue to pray for the president, no matter who it is. In fact, prayer is needed even more now.
Lillie, I’m glad that you have been part of a group of Christians interceding on the president-elect’s behalf.
We certainly may find it difficult to understand what God is doing or will do through these times, but He is at work and will continue to bring to pass His purposes.
With prayer comes real hope!
Thanks for the encouragement!
I just added your blog to my new Google Reader. I had you on Blog Bridge but I’m switching so I can comment from a reader.
Thanks, Robin — I’m glad that I could impart some encouragement.
Today is a strange day, one filled with conflicting emotions. I saw your post about “long suffering” and I know that it applies to me…something I need!
Matt Keegans last blog post..Mindless Tripe and Star Studded Glamour Appeal
[...] I commented on the blog post of a friend of mine, on my way from work this morning I prayed for Obama. I also prayed for American people, 52% of [...]
Hi,
I don’t agree with you about Obama’s winning the US election. Even though, I am not an American your president affects the world. Your country has a bad reputation and Bush made it worse. I pray and will do for Obama that God will lead him. At the end, God put men into powers, and can remove them according to his will. Many in the world like Obama and I hope he will be open to the Lord’s will.
Thank you for your comments, Yimaz.
I understand how our country is perceived elsewhere is often unfavorable, I will not dispute that. It seems we both understand the importance of Obama following God’s leading and if he does, then I’m fine with that.
Matt Keegans last blog post..Mindless Tripe and Star Studded Glamour Appeal
Matt,
Thanks for presenting this hopeful perspective. It’s so important for us to realize that, no matter what happens politically or otherwise, ultimately God is in control.
I received the following message in an e-mail about a month before the election and decided to forward it it everyone on my main contact list early in the day on November 4th. Figured it would be a good reminder for us all, and Election Day seemed the perfect day to pass it along. (Don’t know who wrote it or I’d give the author credit. I’ve decided, instead, to simply place it in quotes.)
“10 PREDICTIONS NO MATTER WHO WINS THE ELECTION
1. The Bible will still have all the answers.
2. Prayer will still work.
3. The Holy Spirit will still move.
4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.
5. There will still be God-anointed teaching and healing.
6. There will still be singing of praise to God.
7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
8. There will still be room at the Cross.
9. Jesus will still love you.
10. Jesus will still save the lost.
ISN’T IT GREAT TO KNOW WHO IS REALLY IN CONTROL!”
To me, that just about says it all!
Blessings,
Jeanne
Jeanne, that is very encouraging! Sort of like the Ten Commandments of the Encouraging Christian.
I believe that now we have a great opportunity to evangelize the lost especially those people who will be extremely disappointed within the next few months when the new president isn’t able to bring about all of the change promised to them.
The deception is great, but our God is greater still!
Amen to that!
This is an encouraging article - thanks! For a few more encouraging verses, check out my latest article.
Shannons last blog post..Exercise Your Rights II
[...] the coming Obama regime and that article was crafted from a strictly Christian perspective for my WordJourney blog. The article has been good reminder for me because a number of times over the past few days [...]
I posted something about prayer and praying for Prez Obama in spite of my DEEP dissapointement reguarding the results… but I have had this nagging feeling of dread totally unwilling to leave my thoughts.
As you can see its a week later and I am still seeking encouragment. Its like…I know I am to have faith in God… but I am not following through with it! So then I spiral into more saddness of my rejection of the Lords will! Its been tough.
But your Scripture verses helped and I am thankful I came here. I agree with your words 100% and am thankful you worte them.
God bless-
Amanda
Amanda, please know that God hears your prayers. Obama’s election can serve another purpose, one that we don’t know about. Our nation is in dire straits, few people seem to realize it, but we must encourage ourselves in Him.
Here is a verse to encourage you:
Exodus 14:14 — “The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
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