The best part of last night’s debate is the memes that are being posted today. I think the memes are the best part because I think it is good that some can still have a sense of humor after watching the debate. One of my friends posted that it reminded her of what it’s like being an elementary school teacher with kids interrupting other kids all the time.
Alas, it was not an elementary class but a presidential debate. I think most people, on all sides, can agree that it wasn’t the easiest thing to watch. There were many frustrating parts to it and gave little to excited about. One tweet said, “are these two really the best we have to offer?”
I am not writing this post to promote one candidate over the other, or persuade you in any way from your chosen candidate. I am just pointing out that, objectively speaking, these candidates leave much to be desired. One is the product of decades in the political system. The other is the product of celebrity culture. Both are the products of an American culture steeped in a secular worldview that increasingly distances itself from biblical standards.
Not only that, but we are also in a stressful season caused by a pandemic. There is a lot of confusion about the facts, what is true and what’s not true. Families, churches, and communities are dividing over the disease or our governments approach to battle said disease.
When I look at these scenarios on their own merit, there is not much that gives me hope. Actually, there is a lot of negative emotions and anxieties, if each of these had to stand on their own merit.
But that is not the case. It’s mornings like today that I like to stop and look back at what the Word of God says when there is turmoil and/or uncertainty. Guess what it says?
God is in control. God’s got this.
Here are encouraging verses to me:
Daniel 2:20–21
20 “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. 21 He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding;”
Daniel 4:17
… the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will and sets over it the lowliest of men.
Psalm 75:7
… but it is God who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another.
Romans 13:1
… For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.
I could go on, but I think you get the point. The God of the Bible, the one true God, is the one who sets up leaders and removes leaders. He changes the times and the seasons. He grants power to governments and uses them for His purposes.
We don’t have to worry about the election or the viruses, for our God reigns and has all things in control. Not only is God in control, but He has a plan of redemption that He has been cultivating since the beginning of time, and this is through His Son, Jesus Christ.
Colossians 1:13–20
13 He (God the Father) has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 15 He (Jesus) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
On a day after a debate, a Cleveland Indians loss, and during a pandemic, we can rejoice because we believe in a risen Lord. We believe that Jesus Christ is King! He came into our space, lived a perfect life and became the perfect sacrifice for our sin debt. He has provided a way for us to be free from the domain of darkness and to become members of His kingdom!
Look around you, in this beautiful fall season, and remember that Jesus created that beauty. Jesus sustains all of creation. He holds all things together. And He is ever reconciling us to the Father.
His kingdom is an already-not-yet kingdom. He has conquered the domain of darkness, He has defeated death, and He has provided a way for us to be reconciled to the Father. So, yes, we can live today knowing that He does reign and we can experience His kingdom today.
We are also called to be citizens and agents for His kingdom. We do this by telling others about who He is and what He has done. It is through proclaiming His Name and sharing the Good News with others that we will see true and lasting (eternal) impact on other’s lives.
We are also called to be obedient to all He command us to do. This means we need to be regular students of the Word of God and know His commands. Reading His Word and putting it into practice will point others to Jesus. Baptism is also a step of obedience that all believers should walk in. Regular attendance at church and joining a community of believers is a step of obedience all Christians must do in order to be faithful.
His kingdom is also “not yet”, meaning that we still live in a broken world. Jesus came the first time to redeem us and set in motion the church to share His Good News with the world. Jesus will come back a second time to make all things new and right.
One day He will return and put an end to sin, death and disease. One day He will come and set up His kingdom on earth. No more corrupt politicians. We will be governed by the perfect Son of God. That is our hope, Jesus is King!
No matter your political persuasion or your view on the pandemic, seek to surrender yourself to the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Don’t trust in earthly politics or man-made answers, look to the one who created all things and sustains all things, look to Jesus.
When we look to Jesus as King, we can be hopeful and joyful in all of life’s circumstances.
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