How should we (Christians) react to the election results?

I have to admit that we’ve spoken poorly of Obama in the days and weeks leading up to the election. Our discussion has not been racially motivated because we greatly appreciate racial diversity. Whether a person is black, white, Asian, or whatever matters not to my family. We admire the different races God has created. We do not admire the gods man has created.

Our negative discussions have focused solely on Obama’s values. We disagree with his stance on almost everything – gay rights, abortion, education, taxes, government intervention, and countless other topics. During this discussion, the children have listened, asked questions, and given their own opinion.

This morning they woke up and were gravely disappointed that Obama had won the election. One of my children started to say something negative about that “bad man” and I stopped him.

The Bible says, “Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.” (Acts 23:5)

Furthermore, we are told that “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” (Romans 13:1)

God may or may not have removed his hand of protection from this country, but the fact is that as followers of Christ, we are given directions on how to behave even in times such as these. We are to remain faithful to the Living God. We are to respect our leaders. We are to pray unceasingly.Even while we pray for Obama and other leaders of our country, I will continue to teach my children from the Holy Word of God, which states:

“They have chosen their own ways,
and their souls delight in their abominations;
so I also will choose harsh treatment for them
and will bring upon them what they dread.
For when I called, no one answered,
when I spoke, no one listened.
They did evil in my sight
and chose what displeases me." (Isaiah 66:3-4)

I encourage others to remind their children to speak respectfully of our leaders, including Obama, but not to worship him as some seem to be doing. There is only one man worthy of worship and that is the Lord Jesus Christ. Also, we live in a country where we currently still have the right to “train a child in the way he should go,” (Proverbs 22:6) without fear of persecution. I would encourage all parents to actively include Bible study as part of your daily routine. The Bible does tell us to respect our leaders, but we are also told to "hate what is evil" (Romans 12:9). This means we are still to STAND against sin, SPEAK OUT against sin, PREACH against sin, and TEACH against sin. Now I'm not talking about the person who sins, because we are all sinners, but the actual sins themselves.

This morning as I was reading Isaiah, I was convicted by our own thoughts of “Where do we go to escape this evil?”

“This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says:
"In repentance and rest is your salvation,
in quietness and trust is your strength,
but you would have none of it. You said, 'No, we will flee on horses.'
Therefore you will flee! You said, 'We will ride off on swift horses.'
Therefore your pursuers will be swift! (Isaiah 30:15-16)

There is nowhere we need to go and nothing more we need to do than live a life where it is obvious that Christ is our King. We cannot escape evil and the Lord will be glorified despite the ungodliness of our world.

I am so thankful that the Bible – and the message it brings – does not change no matter what is going on in the world.

Sonya

www.sonyahaskins.com