flag All I can say is wow!  Honestly I am speechless.  I never thought this country was at a point where we could elect a young, African-American man as President of the United States.  I offer my humble congratulations to him.  I am proud to be an American.

Regardless of our politics we should be acknowledging the greatness of our country and the process we have that allows each and every adult person to choose their governmental representatives.  We should be celebrating the peaceful transition of power, which is a grace from God, regardless of whether our man won or lost.  Compare the blessings we have to those who are struggling in Zimbabwe where peaceful transition is almost impossible.  Praise God for what we have and pray for the poor who are caught in the middle and who suffer the consequences of the politics of selfish gain.  We have much to be thankful for.

Yet, this morning I am amazed by the response of evangelical Christians in this country.  I am amazed that so many are acknowledging the fact that God is sovereign.  I am elated by that fact but I need to ask this question?  Why all of a sudden this outpouring of acknowledgement?  Why is it that so many feel driven to acknowledge this after Barak Obama’s victory?   I find no evidence of such statements when George Bush won in 2000 and 2004.  All I could find was numerous references to the further defeat of the secular left.  I am pondering why so many people are acknowledging God’s sovereignty today when they didn’t  do so when a Republican won?

Honesty, why would a Christian’s public proclamation of God’s sovereignty depend on who is elected?  If one truly believes God is sovereign, that fact should transcend politics and be acknowledged on July 4th each year as well as when the stock market tanked in September.  Is it just me or does it appear that people’s hearts are not  lining up with their mouths?  

Over the last few weeks I have read helpful things from many people who were asking questions and also sought for a right response to the election from the pages of Scripture.  Among many probing questions, I found the following ones of help to me.

  1. Is my hope really in God as the sovereign Lord and Savior, or am I most hoping in a certain outcome of the election?
  2. Have I ascribed certain attributes of God to my favorite politician?
  3. Would people know more of my political views than of the gospel? 
  4. Today am I mourning political defeat more than my own sins?
  5. Am I taking more credit than is due in my candidate’s victory?
  6. What is motivating my response to proclaim God is sovereign? 
  7. Do I acknowledge God’s sovereignty in all aspects and situations in my life? 
  8. Am I more aware of the crucified Christ today than yesterday? 
  9. Are my words and life clearly drawing attention to His finished work as my Savior?

Today, many are celebrating their new idol.  Sadly, it appears many Christians are mourning the the destruction of their idol and are already erecting new ones.  Actually I’ll be the first to admit, I was carving a new one this morning!  Then, God showed me I was wrong in repeating my past sinful responses.  Before falling back into this trap again, I needed to stop  and reflect on my motivations.  Our sovereign God  faithfully opened up a window again to show me I was wrong in my thinking and in doing so opened a window into his unending fountain of grace.  It was time to confess and repent of my sinful idolatry, pride and unbelief. 

My encouragement to all is to proclaim the sovereignty of God, but don’t stop there, take the next step and examine your motivations for doing so.  If the Holy Spirit reveals fear and anxiety, confess your unbelief.  If He reveals your heart’s propensity to elevate man over God, confess your idolatry.  If he reveals prejudice, vindictiveness and anger, confess your pride.   Turn your hearts to the Lord and receive the grace that comes through repentance and renewed faith.  Then bask in the sovereignty of God over all things with joy and expectancy rather than out of fear and uncertainty.

“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” -  Romans 13:1

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