United We Stand: a call to unity after the election

Originally published Wednesday, 09 November 2016.

united-we-stand

Today is another day. A day full of choices. We can gloat in victory or drown in our sorrows in response to the election results, or we can choose to believe in who God is.

Regardless of whether or not your candidate won last night, we can't let individual preference or fear divide us. In a climate of hate or strife, let's choose love. Let's check ourselves continually to ensure that our thoughts and speech build one another up, that what we say and think is honoring to God and to one another. As followers of Christ, it's imperative that we keep ourselves in check to ensure we're promoting unity instead of contributing to the worldly divisiveness we see so much of in our country right now.

It's not about who our president is. It's about who we are as followers of Christ, first and foremost, and who we are as Americans. Christians are ambassadors of reconciliation, not division (2 Corinthians 5). We are the light of this world.

There is so much fear running through the veins of our country right now, and if we have any chance at unity, I believe we need to commit to listening to one another with compassion, without trying to push our own agendas forward. There's a lot of uncertainty, which makes us all squirm, but let's choose faith over fear and choose to believe that God does in fact make all things beautiful in its time (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

I pray for each of us to be a beckon of light during this time. For our country to return to God, ask for forgiveness, and be healed. For unity in the church that spreads like gangrene throughout the rest of our society. For everyone who calls him or herself a Christ follower to take hold of proper perspective. To believe, and I mean TRULY believe, and act like Jesus is still on His throne.

Remember, He alone rules the nations (2 Chronicles 20:6, Psalm 22:28). Let's abandon our worldly perspectives in exchange for Truth.

 

Truths to Remember

"For kingship belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations" (Psalm 22:28).

“'O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you...'" (2 Chronicles 20:6).

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid" (John 14:27).

(I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful" (Hebrews 10:23).

"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. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment" (Romans 13:1-2).

"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer" (Romans 12:12).

"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 good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time" (1 Timothy 1-6).

"...do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7).

"Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!" (Psalm 133:1).

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden" (Matthew 5:14).

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect" (Romans 12:2).

 

Psalm 146

1 Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord, O my soul!
2 I will praise the Lord as long as I live;
I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.
3 Put not your trust in princes,
in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.
4 When his breath departs, he returns to the earth;
on that very day his plans perish.
5 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the Lord his God,
6 who made heaven and earth,
the sea, and all that is in them,
who keeps faith forever;
7 who executes justice for the oppressed,
who gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets the prisoners free;
8 the Lord opens the eyes of the blind.
The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down;
the Lord loves the righteous.
9 The Lord watches over the sojourners;
he upholds the widow and the fatherless,
but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.
10 The Lord will reign forever,
your God, O Zion, to all generations.
Praise the Lord!

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