So this morning the world woke up to the news that, against seemingly massive odds, Donald Trump had won the American election and now stands as the President-Elect. This result comes after a long, hard, bitter and certainly divisive campaign to win occupancy of the White House.
Just a few months ago the UK went through a similar process with the European Union referendum. Again, the vote to leave was, in a lot of people's eye's an unexpected result. As today, the result was met with mixed emotions, there were those that were elated with the decision and those that declared their horror, uncertainty and fear as to what the result would mean.
On the morning of the referendum as I watched the result being given and commentary started to flow from media outlets and on social media there was one verse that came to mind "Some trust in Chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God." (Ps 20:7) My feeling was, as it is today with the election result, that this verse challenges us to re-assess where our hope and trust lie. Is it in the systems of this world? Or is it in God Almighty? Do we trust and look to the world systems to fulfil our hopes and dreams or to our Heavenly Father who the bible declares even knows the number of hairs on our head?
Even today I have read articles and comments of people who have openly shared the fear they feel for the future due to today's result. There seems to be a shaking going on. There seems to be major changes happening that will indeed have impact, not only in the individual nations where these changes were conceived, but across the whole world.
The bible talks about a time before Jesus' return when men's hearts will 'fail them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken" (Luke 21:26) Indeed there seems to be a shaking going on.
So how should we as Christians respond?
Well, firstly we need to recognise that as believers in Jesus Christ, our hope should be in Him. The bible tells us, that as Christians we belong to a kingdom that cannot be shaken: “And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:” Hebrews 12:27-28 Our trust should not lie in the kingdoms of this world but in God Himself. Only in Him can we find the hope, peace and security our hearts long for.
Secondly, we need to remember that the bible tells us that it is God who puts people into positions of authority and leadership (Rom 13:1)
Our job? To pray for them - "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions and giving of thanks, be made for all men. For kings, and all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all Godliness and honesty. (1 Tim 2 : 1-3)
Yes, there is a shaking going on but we do not put our trust in chariots, horses, political systems or establishments, we do not have to fear, feel insecure, or uncertain because if we belong to Christ, we belong to a kingdom that cannot be shaken.
Change always brings new opportunity, could it be with the shaking that is going on that God is giving us a new opportunity to tell others about this unshakable kingdom and of His great love for them?
Just a few months ago the UK went through a similar process with the European Union referendum. Again, the vote to leave was, in a lot of people's eye's an unexpected result. As today, the result was met with mixed emotions, there were those that were elated with the decision and those that declared their horror, uncertainty and fear as to what the result would mean.
On the morning of the referendum as I watched the result being given and commentary started to flow from media outlets and on social media there was one verse that came to mind "Some trust in Chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God." (Ps 20:7) My feeling was, as it is today with the election result, that this verse challenges us to re-assess where our hope and trust lie. Is it in the systems of this world? Or is it in God Almighty? Do we trust and look to the world systems to fulfil our hopes and dreams or to our Heavenly Father who the bible declares even knows the number of hairs on our head?
Even today I have read articles and comments of people who have openly shared the fear they feel for the future due to today's result. There seems to be a shaking going on. There seems to be major changes happening that will indeed have impact, not only in the individual nations where these changes were conceived, but across the whole world.
The bible talks about a time before Jesus' return when men's hearts will 'fail them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken" (Luke 21:26) Indeed there seems to be a shaking going on.
So how should we as Christians respond?
Well, firstly we need to recognise that as believers in Jesus Christ, our hope should be in Him. The bible tells us, that as Christians we belong to a kingdom that cannot be shaken: “And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:” Hebrews 12:27-28 Our trust should not lie in the kingdoms of this world but in God Himself. Only in Him can we find the hope, peace and security our hearts long for.
Secondly, we need to remember that the bible tells us that it is God who puts people into positions of authority and leadership (Rom 13:1)
Our job? To pray for them - "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions and giving of thanks, be made for all men. For kings, and all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all Godliness and honesty. (1 Tim 2 : 1-3)
Yes, there is a shaking going on but we do not put our trust in chariots, horses, political systems or establishments, we do not have to fear, feel insecure, or uncertain because if we belong to Christ, we belong to a kingdom that cannot be shaken.
Change always brings new opportunity, could it be with the shaking that is going on that God is giving us a new opportunity to tell others about this unshakable kingdom and of His great love for them?
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