My Facebook feed is inundated with reactions to last night’s election results in the United States. The reactions loosely fall into three categories; happy, angry, fearful. What should be our response as Canadian Christian observers? The good news of Jesus invites us to look more closely at what we think about God, ourselves and this world. How we respond to election results is shaped by who Jesus is and how He is at work in this world He loves. Christians can resolve to honour, pray and be content.
Honour
Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. – 1 Peter 2:13-14
If Peter encouraged Christians to be subject to Nero, who burned them at the stake and fed them to lions for sport, perhaps he would encourage us to do the same today.
No king, president or prime minster has ever come to office by accident nor as the ultimate result of human folly. God’s purposes are not handcuffed by our folly. So Christians are subject to rulers ‘for the Lord’s sake’. We show the world that we have a Lord and King who is greater than worldly authority but calls us to honour the vice-regents He appoints.
This is what Paul had in mind when he wrote in Romans 13:1, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.”
Pray
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. – 1 Timothy 2:1-2
Paul tells Timothy that Christians need to pray for kings and leaders. Consider Proverbs 21:1, “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will.”
God appoints leaders for his purposes. Sometimes as agents of blessing and sometimes as instruments of judgment. Every ruler serves the Lord, even unknowingly. Pray that the Lord would deal mercifully with us by turning the heart of our rulers where He will.
Be Content
I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. – Philippians 4:12-13
Christians need not fear the outcome of an election. We can be content in any situation. Not only content but joyfully confident, knowing that ultimately we don’t get the king we deserve. We have a much better King.
“… of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the sceptre of uprightness is the sceptre of your kingdom.” Hebrews 1:8
There is only one king. All others rulers are vice-regents. The Lord Jesus Christ has not abdicated His throne. The hand that sways the sceptre of the cosmos is the same hand pierced on Calvary.
What is God’s purpose in appointing Donald Trump President of the United States? Will he be a means of blessing or an instrument of God’s severe mercy in judging His people? Only time will tell. Our response is to honour, pray and be content.
