Monday, August 15, 2016

Why I'm Not Worried About The Election

Hey Friend,

I generally stay out of the political arena and please don't take this to mean that I'm apathetic about the upcoming election.  I do care, but I'm not getting worked up or overly anxious about it.  Here are some reasons why...

I know a little bit about the Roman Caesars through the ages.  "Caesar" was the highest political rank in the Roman Empire (and the world for that matter). These leaders were known for being tyrannical, paranoid, narcissists who led extravagant and opulent lifestyles.  They were liars and cheaters with a thirst for power and were known to insight civil wars.  (Anything sound familiar??)

Not surprisingly, John wrote of the Apocalypse during Domitian's reign. Domitian persecuted Christians and Jews and was fond of throwing them to the lions to devour.  



Many of the Caesars murdered dissenters in tortuous ways.  Nero burned Christians on stakes to light his gardens where he "breathed in the stench of burning flesh and laughed heartily while singing songs and playing his lyre".

Tiberius, one of several pedophiles, raped infants and young boys.  He was self-absorbed and frequented whorehouses.  He was particularly fond of impaling, burning, and beheading those who disagreed or dissented. 

Elagabalus was known for cross dressing and for starting civil wars.  Caligula, who many thought was possessed, because of his awesomely disgusting, insane, lurid, and depraved crimes against humanity and morality.  He was known for his sex orgies at banquets - many in which, he raped his sisters. 

So why do I say all this?

Compared to these "leaders", Hillary and Donald look like a walk in the park.

Even this list of "Crazy Caesars" didn't...couldn't thwart God and His plans to save the world through His Son, Jesus Christ.  

God's plan for Good was undaunted by man's depravity.  

God works in unlikely ways at unlikely times.  Even in the horrible chaos, He is in control. Only He can bring beauty from ashes.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.  (Isaiah 55:8-9)

My security, hope, and identity are not found in a man, woman, or political figure...they are found in Christ ALONE.  Salvation comes only from God and not from a human leader.  

I love the hymn that states:

"On Christ the solid rock I stand.  All other ground is sinking sand."

Christ, alone, is my solid rock and my refuge.  God knows what He's doing...I can trust Him...I can trust Love's heart.  

I love how Oswald Chambers puts it in "My Utmost For His Highest":

"Our real test is in truly believing that God knows what He desires.  The things that happen do not happen by chance - they happen entirely by the decree of God.  God is sovereignly working out His purposes."

Out of love, God gave us free will even though He knew that we would do horrible things with it.  But God, is ALWAYS in the business of bringing redemption and renewal from the stench of consequences in which we find ourselves.  

No cause is too lost, no person so far removed that God can't bring them back to Himself.

Lastly, I know how the story ends.  I don't have to be anxious or shake with fear and trepidation as to what's going on in our world.  I still see glimmers of heaven and one day....yes one day....God will call His faithful to eternity in paradise with Him. Meanwhile, I pray...

With that as my hope, He enables me to ride out these storms with peace in my heart.

How about you?  In these turbulent times, where is your security?  Where do you look for hope?  How do you face the days and times ahead?

Dear Heavenly Father, when I look around me and see no signs of hope, help me to trust in you because you and you alone are the source of my hope.  Be with our leaders, whoever they will be, that they would seek discernment and wisdom from you.  Guide them to be moral, just, and fair and to seek your will in their governing.  Be with us all, Lord, and heal our land.  Forgive us for our iniquities and guide us to rise up and claim you as sovereign over all.  Give me peace in my heart, Lord, as I look around me.  Let me know, with deep assurance, that you are in control and nothing can thwart your divine plan.  In Jesus' name I pray.  Amen.  

Be blessed...




ps.  Can you help make Christmas happen for the least of these??  Just $25. will bring the Joy of Christmas to a child, who otherwise, would not receive a thing this Christmas. We still have 30 children not yet covered to receive a gift. 


22 comments:

  1. "In unlikely ways and at unlikely times."
    And why does this surprise us?
    Thank you for underscoring the "otherness" of God today, Bev, and for reminding me that He is sovereign. There is no candidate in any race that comes as a surprise to Him!

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  2. Bev,

    This is such a fantastic reminder that the 'election' is not the biggest issue... it the heart: His and ours. His heart, so full of love for the broken and depraved world still has grace and mercy extended and ours, sometimes, like the Caesars , full of self-promoting ideology and sin, need those fresh new mercies every single day. I love to study history and the policies that formed governments, the way men thought that their decisions determined destiny is somewhat intriguing to me...because I know that God is the one whose pen has etched humanities story. And yet, still, through the chaos of this election year, the knowledge of His Word and these policies that have built America, I know that 1 president will change America... only 1 person can do that, Jesus. I have found such a peace in that knowledge and like you, I really have found the ability to trust God easier than to trust man. Eccl 1:9 reminds us that History is cyclical, and there is really nothing new under the sun.
    Great post!! Thank you for the reminder of Rome's journey of crazy.
    Blessings,
    Dawn

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  3. Love this! Your words bring me peace in this election year. I basically have removed myself from the glut of information that is being spewed on social media. I guess this could be called avoidance but I also know that Jesus has already won. The truth of Jesus will always outshine even the loudest and most vocal candidate vying for our attention. Thank you for the reminder to walk in God's truth today. The victory has been won!

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  4. Such wise words, Bev. Your review of the Caesars certainly puts our political scene in perspective! With you, I rejoice in our Rock and Refuge who has everything under control. I cannot imagine facing these turbulent times without him as well as the peace, hope, and security he provides. Hallelujah!

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  5. So very well articulated, Bev. I'm sending this off to a friend who's really burdened by how to vote.

    Thank you for this resource that points us to the King of Kings!

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    1. Linda,
      I know A LOT of people who are really burdened about how to vote. Both choices are severely flawed, so I guess that, even more so, it points me toward God from whom my ONLY true hope comes. I hope that this brings comfort to your friend. No matter which way it goes, one truth remains...God is still sovereign...Praise!
      Blessings,
      Bev

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  6. Thank you for this, Bev: "God's plan for Good was undaunted by man's depravity." Your words fit so well with the Scripture from Isaiah 55, which is one of my life verses! I needed to be reminded of this today! --Blessings to you!

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    1. Bettie,
      It blows my mind sometimes when I think about the very depraved times into which Christ entered as an innocent baby. God has a way of turning things upside down and doing the unexpected. This generally reminds me that He is ABLE. Even with this election - God's got this...
      Blessings to you Bettie,
      Bev

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  7. Great perspective, Bev - God rules and reigns mighty on the throne and He still holds the hearts of kings in His hand. While I'm by no means pleased by the choices that a flawed and fallen people make, my hope rests in Him! Glad to be your neighbor at #tellhisstory today.

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    1. Tiffany,
      Now, more than ever, we need to be reminded, as you pointed out, that our hope rests in Him!! Still I pray for wisdom and discernment. So glad you stopped by!!
      Blessings,
      Bev

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  8. Thanks so much for sharing this. I love too that our hope is in Jesus Christ alone, not in a person in the White House. God works in ways that we cannot imagine. I am also reminded of Joseph, Daniel, and the three Hebrew children and how God worked in their favor, yet they still faced persecution and very troublesome times. God is still on the throne.

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    1. Ellen,
      The stories you speak of talk about how God uses for good what others meant for evil. So thankful that He is truly the King of doing this. For that reason, we can face persecution and still have hope. Great insight! Thanks for sharing...
      Blessings,
      Bev

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  9. Great reminder of God's sovereignty. Whatever uncertainty we are facing it's encouraging to remember that he is in control and he knows what he's doing. Thank you for your words today.

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    1. Lesley,
      I take great comfort in knowing that nothing takes God by surprise. He IS in control and He knows what He is doing...great Truth you've shared!
      Blessings,
      Bev

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  10. Bev, this is such a great and much needed reminder!

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    1. Kylie,
      I don't know about you, but when I get all worked up, I need God to remind me to be still and know that He is God.
      Blessings,
      Bev

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  11. Oh, Bev! I love this. Just love it. Sharing everywhere.

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    1. Sarah,
      Thanks for sharing. As Christians I think we do need reminders of where and in Whom our hope and peace are found. Always good to have you here!!
      Blessings friend,
      Bev

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  12. Bev, what a truth-filled and timely post! I plan to share and pin. I pray that many will heed your wise words.

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    1. Donna,
      Thanks...I just found myself wondering and worrying about this and God gave me some peace filled insights I simply felt like I HAD to share...glad they resonated with you as well.
      Blessings,
      Bev

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  13. So glad you shared this, Bev. We lose our hope all too easily. Things have been much worse in the past. Even though I'm not crazy about our options this year, nothing is too hard for our God!

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    1. Lisa,
      Echoing your chorus..."Nothing...NOTHING is too hard for our God." Even when things seem wildly out of control, God's still got this.
      Blessings,
      Bev

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