"My hope is built on NOTHING LESS than Jesus' blood and righteousness." (Edward Mote, 1834)
During Election Week, my top candidates lost, in spite of the fact that they received a record number of votes and the voting lines were the longest I'd ever witnessed in my 70 years. Everybody appeared to care what happened in the election of 2020, and it showed. The people I thought represented "the right side," were defeated, so things seemed to be on the verge of changing drastically.
I was unsettled. As a control freak, I was off balance because there was NOTHING about the situation that I could control or do ANYTHING about, for that matter. I baked. I watched Hallmark movies to blot out the bickering on TV. I went for a drive to see things I hadn't seen before. Following the suggestion of my son, I started making a list of things that are still true and wonderful in spite of who lives in the White House. But, ultimately I started looking in the Bible for wisdom and assurance. Here's what I found:
NOTHING THAT HAS HAPPENED WAS ALLOWED TO HAPPEN WITHOUT GOD'S PERMISSION. Romans 13:1 -- "Every person is to be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God."
IT'S GOING TO REMAIN MY JOB TO SUBMIT TO THOSE IN AUTHORITY. 1 Peter 2:13 “For the Lord’s sake, submit to all human authority—whether the king as head of state.” Titus 3:1 “Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work.” Romans 13:2 “Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.”
I'M NOT JUST TO SUBMIT BUT TO GIVE RESPECT AND HONOR. 1 Peter 2:17 "Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.”
I MUST PRAY FOR THOSE IN AUTHORITY.1 Timothy 2:1-2 “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.”
THIS IS A TIME TO FULLY TRUST GOD, TO HAVE FAITH THAT HE IS IN CONTROL NO MATTER WHAT IT MAY LOOK LIKE FROM THE OUTSIDE. Isaiah 46:10 “Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, ‘My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure.” Job 42:2 “I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.” Psalm 75:7 “But it is God who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another.”Romans 8:28 “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
In the middle of all this uncertainty, my family and I received the ultimate expression of God's love and care in our lives -- a beautiful new granddaughter. Sarah Ruth Rodgers was born on Veteran's Day, November 11, 2020 at 2:03 p.m.. She weighed a healthy 7 lbs. 10 oz and has 10 fingers, 10 toes, and 9 happy siblings. What a blessing! What a distraction! For Steve and me, she is our FIFTEENTH grandchild. 15!!! What a reminder that God is still at work! He is and will remain victorious.
BE ENCOURAGED.