I’ve given this a couple weeks. There were SO MANY posts and people from both sides of the aisle the day of and after that I just couldn’t be on social media. Some placed their hope, joy, and literally their survival in their candidate and party. I believe the party elected of the two major ones is the pro life, pro family, pro marriage, and pro Christian values. Not perfect, and even disappointing in some areas. One – man up and use an executive order to ban abortion! Don’t kick it to someone else. If you have the power stop it – do something about it.
Some aren’t as passionate about that as I am. I was rescued with my sisters in a trailer when I was 3 days old after being abandoned by my parents. My grandmother told me my mom was talked out of (by her at least once) aborting me and another sister. As wonderful and godly as my adoptive parents were, they approved abortion for my sister when she was a teenager – all while they were Sunday School teachers and a deacon in the church. They never spoke another word about it until weeks before my dad died he said it was his biggest regret and most shameful moment as a man of God. He pleaded with God to forgive him for decades. I assured him God did and that child was in heaven. So, those are some of the big reasons I have served with Christian pregnancy centers for twenty years and counsel those contemplating abortion to raise that child with help from the center and the church or allow them to be adopted by loving parents desperate for children.
Government, according to Scripture, exists to punish evil and commend those who do good. Romans 13:4 says, “For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.” 1 Peter 2:13-14 echos this, “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.” I am for small government that exists for these reasons. I pray this administration punishes what God calls evil and comments those who do what is right in God’s eyes. Government doesn’t exist to define evil and good – they aren’t to condone evil – they aren’t the ones we abdicate the doing of good to – believers must do what is good – loving our neighbor and living God’s truth.
The Bible commands me to pray for my president and others in governmental authority. First Timothy 2:1-4 says, “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” I did this with Presidents Clinton, Bush, Obama, and Trump. I did not vote for some of these – but I still prayed. “Lord, let them govern righteously. Let them lead with biblical character. May they rule in a way that condemns evil and encourages those who do good. May they seek your wisdom and counsel. May they follow you in all ways. Save them if they don’t know you! May they lead humbly, sacrificially, and generously. May they be kind and compassionate. May they govern with strength, wisdom, and grace that comes only from you. May they know the weight of their role and how it affects generations and many other nations. May they appoint advisors, cabinet members, and representatives that reflect biblical values. Help them know how much you love them and how much they have been called to be a servant of God. Help me submit to my government leaders as I would to you. Help me seek the welfare of my city and be an instrument of your grace.”
One thing I prayed the day after the election was that political idols would be destroyed – or at least recognized for what people were trying to make them. Some saw President Trump as the Savior – their joy and hope was found in him – others did that with V.P. Harris. Some lost hope and joy when he was elected. Some lost hope and joy when she was not. What was also hard to watch was how believers in Christ – those who are supposed to exemplify Jesus in their character, words, and actions – treated those who disagreed with them. Name calling. Insults. Defamatory statements. Even cursing and wishes of death! Is that how the body of Christ is to treat others – let me answer – NO!
Our hope and joy cannot be found in someone who will be replaced every four years. While I believe most of the policies and promises of the current Republican Party will help bring about better flourishing for our cities, States, and Nation, I must not be deceived it will be without issue, corruption, or imperfection. I must remember this Nation, as much as I love it and believe it is the best place to live on the earth, is temporary. My citizenship as a believer is eternal – in heaven! I am a sojourner – an exile – a foreigner in this place. My hope and joy are found alone in Christ. I must remember my brothers and sisters in Christ all over the world in far worse tyrannical and oppressive governments and nations who are suffering and even being imprisoned and killed and are still faithful to the Lord. I am thankful for and will help to protect the freedoms such as assembly, worship, life, liberty, property, due process, innocence until proven guilty, and speech that we enjoy (and take for granted). However, if they are taken away (as the early Christians), my hope is I would be faithful to the Lord as He is enough even when rights are violated or removed.
Psalm 146 gave me perspective and pause to pray and praise this morning. It says:
Do not put your trust in princes,
in human beings, who cannot save.
4 When their spirit departs, they return to the ground;
on that very day their plans come to nothing.
5 Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the Lord their God.
6 He is the Maker of heaven and earth,
the sea, and everything in them—
he remains faithful forever.
7 He upholds the cause of the oppressed
and gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets prisoners free,
8 the Lord gives sight to the blind,
the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down,
the Lord loves the righteous.
9 The Lord watches over the foreigner
and sustains the fatherless and the widow,
but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.
10 The Lord reigns forever,
your God, O Zion, for all generations.
Praise the Lord.
stephen R Harrison 
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