American presidential elections are amazing, aren’t they?  They truly are unique in the world.  No other country on earth has election seasons that last as long, consume as much money, or dominate as much media as ours do.  Our campaigns last the better part of a year and seem to go on forever.  They divide us more than perhaps anything else in American life but in the end also unite us – we’re all thrilled when they’re finally over.

As you read this, it could be that you’re not only glad the election is over, you’re ecstatic about the results.  Your guy won and the country can start the process of reversing the damage of the last four years.  On the other hand, you might be reading this while standing on a ledge deciding whether to jump because from your perspective there’s no hope.  The country lost its mind (again), and you can’t believe we have to live with this man for another four years.

Regardless of where you are on the political spectrum, it’s always a good time in the aftermath of an election to reassess how we as believers look at the world.  Does our response to last week show an eternal perspective, or does it show we’re a little too planted in the here and now?  Do we have a different take on the unfolding events because of our theology, or do we just look at things the same way as everyone else?

Ultimately, we all must answer three questions as we recover from the campaign: Where is our treasure? What is our mission?  Who do we trust?  If last week made us either elated or horrified, it could be that we’ve lost sight of what the answers to those questions should be.  It’s only when our treasure, mission, and trust are grounded in biblical truth that we live a God-pleasing life in a rapidly changing world.

The following is a list of fourteen thoughts that hopefully help us do exactly that by reassuring and challenging us with a focus on what the Bible says.  The list isn’t meant to be exhaustive, but it should stimulate our thinking and help our outlook.  Its intent is to enable us to see things from a gospel-centered perspective instead of one that’s purely political, economic, or temporal.

God is in control.  God isn’t discouraged or surprised by the election.  God isn’t wondering how He’s going to accomplish His ends now that the political landscape has shifted.  God isn’t wondering how He missed it so badly with His polling data.  The new political environment is one item on a list that includes managing eight billion lives and holding an infinite universe together.  For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with a skillful psalm. God reigns over the nations, God sits on His holy throne (Ps 47:7-8).

God chose our president.  And that would be true regardless of who won.  Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God (Rom 13:1).

We are to honor our leaders for the Lord’s sake.  Peter wrote the following words when NERO was emperor of Rome: Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by Him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. Honor all men; love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king (I Pet 2:13-14, 17).

This is not our home.  At home they don’t hold elections and they don’t appoint Supreme Court Justices and they don’t lose their jobs.  At home no one wonders about the motives of the Leader or how long He will be in power or who will benefit from His policies.  At home no one is worried, and no one is scared.  If you traveled to a foreign country for a long-term visit and witnessed a bruising election with all kinds of vitriol and division, you might think to yourself, “I hate what’s happening here, but I’m SO glad this isn’t my home!”  Shouldn’t that also be our attitude here on earth?  Peter called us aliens and strangers (I Pet 1:1, 2:11) because he knew our citizenship was in another world.  Since that’s the case, why are we so worried about a world that isn’t ours?  For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself (Phil 3:20-21).

Freedom and prosperity aren’t God-given rights.  Can you name one verse in the New Testament that equates freedom and prosperity with God’s blessing?  To the contrary, wealth is pictured mostly as an impediment to belief and persecution is promised to be an ongoing part of any disciple’s life.  We must never confuse the American dream with biblical values.  Our goals are higher than ease and abundance, and those goals should affect the level of our anxiety over the future of the country and how we see those with whom we disagree.  Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God (Matt 19:24).  Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me” (Matt 16:24).

What’s good for the Kingdom and what’s good for America aren’t necessarily the same things.  This goes along with the preceding point, but God does not often achieve His ends through happiness and prosperity.  How effective have wealth and comfort been in leading Americans to God?  Has increased prosperity led to increased godliness?  Isn’t it true that areas around the world where people suffer or are persecuted are the same areas where the message of the gospel is typically most accepted?  We have a hard time anticipating heaven when we think we already live there.  Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? (James 2:5).

God isn’t a member of a political party.  God isn’t a Republican.  God isn’t a Democrat.  If as believers we feel this election was more in line with God’s will than the last one (or vice versa), it could be that our theology has become mixed with our patriotism.  America isn’t the new Israel, and the outcome of this election isn’t proof that God’s now smiling more or less on America than He was four years ago, or that He’s in control of the country more or less than four years ago.  The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He wishes (Prov 21:1).

We aren’t to hate those with whom we disagree politically.  Both Jesus and Paul lived in an occupied country under sometimes brutal Roman rule, yet neither wrote nor said much of anything about it.  Jesus said He was here on His Father’s business for the kingdom of heaven.  Paul said his life was all about the gospel.  If our theology lines up with Jesus and Paul, we won’t write off the half of the country that disagrees with us or see our mission in life as going to war against their views.  Liberals aren’t bad because they’re liberal.  Conservatives aren’t bad because they’re conservative.  The bottom line for all is that they need a Savior regardless of political beliefs.  If we’re called to make disciples, we won’t refuse to engage with 70 million potential converts.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood… (Eph 6:12).  But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you (Lk 6:27-28).  And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence (I Pet 3:14b-15).

Our mission is to make disciples, not win elections.  Nothing in the New Testament instructs us to form voting blocks to ensure moral representatives get elected or certain judges appointed.  While there’s certainly nothing wrong with political involvement or political movements, we must never forget that our primary mission is making citizens of the kingdom of heaven, not influencing the votes of the citizens of the United States.  Perhaps if American Christians focused more on individual hearts and less on political action, we’d have more of an impact on our society.  Along the same lines, when we confront moral issues like abortion we must understand that they are merely symptoms of a disease – the disease of unbelief.  The problem with our culture is not that it accepts abortion; the problem with our culture is that it doesn’t know Christ.  When we focus exclusively on symptoms, we miss opportunities to offer the cure to those who are dying from the disease.  Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you. (Matt 28:19-20a)

Our treasure should be in heaven.  What makes us happy?  What makes us angry?  What keeps us up at night?  What makes us dislike others?  The answers to those questions explain a lot about what we value.  Jesus said in regard to this, “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matt 6:20-21).  Jesus’ words apply to more than wealth.  If we’re semi-suicidal over the new administration or if we’re so relieved we can hardly stand it, what does that say about the location of our heart?  Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed (I Tim 6:17-19).

All things work together for good.  All things.  No caveat, no ‘except for.’  Everything God brings into our lives – including the results of this election – are meant to make us more conformed to the image of His Son (the definition of ‘good’).  They make us more useful for God’s kingdom, and in the next life we’ll spend eternity in thankful worship as a result.  If we’re emotional about last week, it could be that we not only struggle with what our mind and affections are set on, but we’ve also lost sight of how God graciously shapes us for His loving purposes.  God never does things randomly or without reason in our lives.  And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son… (Rom 8:28-29a).

We’re not to worry; we’re to seek and trust.  Do not be anxious then, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “With what shall we clothe ourselves?” For all these things the Gentiles eagerly seek; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own (Matt 7:31-34).  Let your character be free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,” so that we confidently say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid.  What shall man do to me?” (Heb 13:5-6)

We must remember Who we trust and why.  Our response to the election as believers comes down to trust.  Do we trust our heavenly Father or not?  God is sovereign.  God is good.  God loves us.  God makes all things work together for our eternal best.  If those things are true, then to be worried or anxious about the direction of the country shows either a lack of understanding or a lack of belief.  God LOVES us.  He loves us enough to die for us and adopt us into His family.  Isn’t that a God we can trust with an election (and everything else in life)?  For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life (Jn 3:16).

We are never alone, and we have no reason to fear.  

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me (Ps 23:4). 

…and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age (Matt 28:20b).  

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you.  Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful (Jn 14:27). 

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace.  In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world (Jn 16:33).