How are we feeling today, friends? It's okay to feel hurt, scared, disappointed, and even confused. Here in Texas, I know many people woke up today feeling as though the world stopped turning. Spoiler alert: It didn't. This is going to be a shorter post, but it's an important one, and I think we need to talk about it.
The Lord took me back to 1 Samuel this morning, starting in Chapter 8. Israel wanted a king. Hang on. Let's back up and talk about Israel for a minute. These were God's chosen people. The very people He had rescued time and time again. Yet they were constantly complaining. They struggled with faith. They were rebellious. And despite all of that, God continued to show up for them.
So here we are in 1 Samuel, and the Israelites have decided they no longer want God as their King. They want a king they can see. A flesh-and-blood king, just like all the other nations. They rejected God's leadership in favor of something that looked more like what the world had to offer. And God gave them what they asked for. Samuel anointed Saul as king, just as the Lord commanded. And if you know the story, you know how that turned out. Saul disobeyed God, and eventually, God rejected him as king. Then we get to 1 Samuel 17. The Philistines gathered on one side of the mountain, and Israel gathered on the other, with a valley between them. And this is where we get the story of David and Goliath.
Oh yes. A favorite Bible story, loved by just about everyone. And for good reason! But I want to talk about what led us to this point in the first place. The people of Israel had a history of choosing not to trust God. They repeatedly turned away from His commands and looked for their own solutions. They wanted what was comfortable, what was familiar, and what the other nations had. And eventually, those choices had consequences.
Now, let's bring this into today. Yesterday, American voters made their choices at the ballot box. And many Christians woke up this morning feeling discouraged by the direction our country appears to be heading. In my view, many voters supported candidates and platforms that stand in direct opposition to Biblical principles. Some elected leaders openly embrace ideologies and policies that conflict with God's Word. Some sympathize with groups and causes that stand against the very values we claim to uphold. And we are seeing false teachings presented as truth. So yes, I understand why so many Christians are feeling heavy today. But here's the hard truth, y'all. We have to take some responsibility for where we are. Me included. Let me explain.
We prayed. We voted. Our pastors reminded us how important it was to participate in the election. All good things. But did we disciple enough people? Did we spend enough time sharing the Gospel? Did we teach people how to recognize Biblical principles and apply them to everyday decisions? Did we show them that our faith should influence every part of our lives, including the way we vote?
For many voters, affordability and immediate financial concerns were major priorities. Others voted based on policies that promised personal benefits or reflected the values of the world around them. And honestly, I think there's a lesson here. Remember the Israelites in the wilderness who wanted to go back to Egypt? They had been delivered from slavery, but when things got uncomfortable, they started longing for what was familiar. They wanted the easier path. We do the same thing. And it's not always because people are intentionally rejecting God. Sometimes they've been deceived. Sometimes they haven't been taught. Sometimes they've been convinced that the answer to their problems can be found in a political party, a candidate, or a government program. But Satan is the author of lies, and he is pretty good at making those lies sound appealing. And this applies to both sides of the political aisle.
Here's the hard and wonderful truth: Nobody is coming to save you except Jesus. Not a president. Not a governor. Not a senator. Not a political party. Jesus. And I believe we, as Christians, have fallen short in communicating that message to the masses. We have spent so much time arguing over political candidates that perhaps we've neglected the much bigger responsibility of pointing people toward Christ. Political candidates are not our heroes. They are not our saviors. They are human beings, just like the rest of us. We should be voting according to Biblical principles, not simply what benefits us personally. And now we have newly elected leaders whose values and policies many of us believe are contrary to God's Word. So what can we expect? I imagine we may feel the sting of some of these decisions for a while.
You see, you cannot keep jumping into the deep end of the pool and expect someone to come rescue you every single time. God gave us free will. And when people, communities, and nations repeatedly choose paths that reject His principles, there are consequences. We cannot continually choose our own way and expect to be exempt from the consequences of those choices. And Moses didn't get steak while the rest of Israel ate manna. Sometimes the consequences of a nation's choices affect everyone. So yes, we may get a little water in our lungs. But here's the amazing part. Jesus hasn't left us. He never will. He's our fourth Man in the fire! And just like the manna that fell from heaven, He will provide. That's the reminder we need today. Our circumstances may change. Our leadership may change. Our country may look different tomorrow than it does today. But Jesus hasn't changed. He is still on the throne.
So what do we do now? We get to work. Not working for our comfort. Not working to restore our favorite political party. Not working to make sure our side wins the next election. We work for the Kingdom. As nervous and uncomfortable as it makes me, I'm going to practice what I preach. I'm going to lace up my boots and get to work! Forget the donkey and the elephant. Talk about the Lamb. Plant seeds. Share the Gospel. Disciple others. Love people well. Stand firm in Biblical truth, even when it's uncomfortable. Stop expecting politicians to do what only Jesus can do. And maybe, just maybe, when the next election comes around, we'll see different results. But even if we don't, our assignment doesn't change. We aren't called to save America. We're called to point America to the One who saves.
So today, take a breath. Pray for our leaders, even the ones you disagree with. Pray for our country. Pray for the people who don't yet know Jesus. And then get to work. The donkey and the elephant have had their turn. It's time we started talking more about the Lamb.
