Perhaps your presidential candidate won the election, perhaps your candidate lost – regardless of the election results – God is still in control!  God is still on the throne and He is still in charge!  It seems that at times we may put more confidence in man than in God.  The Psalmist gives us a helpful perspective,

¹³ The Lord looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men;
¹⁴ From His dwelling place He looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth,
¹⁵ He who fashions the hearts of them all, He who understands all their works.
¹⁶ The king is not saved by a mighty army; a warrior is not delivered by great strength.
¹⁷ A horse is a false hope for victory; nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength. (Psalm 33)

Rather his confidence was in the Lord. He continues on,

¹⁸ Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope for His lovingkindness,
¹⁹ To deliver their soul from death and to keep them alive in famine.
²⁰ Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield.
²¹ For our heart rejoices in Him, because we trust in His holy name.
²² Let Your lovingkindness, O Lord, be upon us, according as we have hoped in You.

The early Christians faced incredible challenges under the reign of Nero yet they did not falter nor lose heart – and neither must you.  This is the advice the Apostle Paul’s gave to those early Christians,

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. ² Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. ³ For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; ⁴ for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. ⁵ Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. ⁶ For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. ⁷ Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.  (Romans 13:1-7)

We must come together as a nation and pray for our president and those in authority over us and focus our efforts into carrying out the great commission by making disciples of all the nations!

First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, ² for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. ³ This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, ⁴ who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.  (1 Timothy 2:1-4)

Dr. Rick Higgins
Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University