WRITER: Phil Bray POSTED: October 24, 2024
Politics and Peace
Can one engage in politics and experience peace? That almost seems oxymoronic doesn’t it? In an age of constant fear mongering from both sides of the political aisle it is hard to catch your breath, much less experience a steadied heart of peace. There are new revelations of scandal, new policies with which to be outraged, and new soundbites designed to inflame the simmering rage in our hearts every single day. We keep scrolling through our news feeds only to become more incensed, more disillusioned, and more hopeless. Peace seems to be nothing more than a dream never to be fulfilled.
I want to draw your attention to Psalm 37:7-9. These words were a soothing balm to my troubled heart. Listen to the Word of our gracious Lord, “Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who carries out wicked schemes. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; do not fret, it leads only to evildoing. For evildoers will be cut off but those who wait for the LORD, they will inherit the land.” What amazing words, so timely and so comforting!
How many of us are fretting, getting upset because those, who seem to oppose everything we think is right and good, are prospering without check? How many of us are getting upset because of the countless people who are carrying out wicked schemes without consequences or justice? Regardless of which side of the political aisle you land upon, that feeling of your “enemy” getting away with wickedness is a huge part of your unease and angst. Fears escalate as our desires for a country that reflects our every wish and want are steadily thwarted or endangered by the fast approaching election. Our anger arises from our own desires being thwarted or endangered (James 4:1-3).
We scream, type, and share news and memes furiously. We argue with friends and co-workers. We fear because with dawning realization we see that we cannot control the outcome and there is a very real danger that the outcome we prefer won’t happen. This fear and anger continually stirs our heart, preventing peace. Brothers and sisters, rest your wearied soul in the Lord Jesus. Wait patiently for Him. He is the Sovereign King of glory who rules over all of humanity. This nation is but a drop in the bucket of the ocean of history (Psalm 2). He is in control. He is good. He is just. He will overcome the true enemy and make all things right in the end (Rev 21:1-5).
We must entrust ourselves, and our country to the Lord. We have a responsibility to vote, to encourage others to vote. We have a responsibility to engage in political efforts, but not from sinful anger and fear mongering. We have a responsibility to pray on behalf of our nation, repenting for our corporate sins as Daniel did (Dan 9:1-19). There is only one Messiah and He already sits upon the throne of heaven. All of history is rolling toward the end He has determined (Acts 17:30-31). Let us cease from anger. Let us abandon wrath. Let us stop getting so upset. It leads only to evil doing.
Evil doers will be cut off and those who wait for the Lord will without a doubt inherit the land! God’s promises never fail. Take a step back and reflect theologically. God is God. There is no other. Listen to what the LORD says in Isaiah 43:11-13, “I, even I, am the LORD; and there is no savior besides Me. It is I who have declared and saved and proclaimed, and there was no strange god among you; so you are My witnesses,’ declares the LORD, ‘And I am God. Even from eternity I am He; and there is none who can deliver out of My hand; I act and who can reverse it?” No politician or political platform will save you or this country. There is no Savior besides the Lord Jesus. Live out your faith, walk in righteousness, vote your convictions, repent of our national sins, proclaim the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ, and love your neighbor and enemy like Jesus did.
I want to draw your attention to Psalm 37:7-9. These words were a soothing balm to my troubled heart. Listen to the Word of our gracious Lord, “Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who carries out wicked schemes. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; do not fret, it leads only to evildoing. For evildoers will be cut off but those who wait for the LORD, they will inherit the land.” What amazing words, so timely and so comforting!
How many of us are fretting, getting upset because those, who seem to oppose everything we think is right and good, are prospering without check? How many of us are getting upset because of the countless people who are carrying out wicked schemes without consequences or justice? Regardless of which side of the political aisle you land upon, that feeling of your “enemy” getting away with wickedness is a huge part of your unease and angst. Fears escalate as our desires for a country that reflects our every wish and want are steadily thwarted or endangered by the fast approaching election. Our anger arises from our own desires being thwarted or endangered (James 4:1-3).
We scream, type, and share news and memes furiously. We argue with friends and co-workers. We fear because with dawning realization we see that we cannot control the outcome and there is a very real danger that the outcome we prefer won’t happen. This fear and anger continually stirs our heart, preventing peace. Brothers and sisters, rest your wearied soul in the Lord Jesus. Wait patiently for Him. He is the Sovereign King of glory who rules over all of humanity. This nation is but a drop in the bucket of the ocean of history (Psalm 2). He is in control. He is good. He is just. He will overcome the true enemy and make all things right in the end (Rev 21:1-5).
We must entrust ourselves, and our country to the Lord. We have a responsibility to vote, to encourage others to vote. We have a responsibility to engage in political efforts, but not from sinful anger and fear mongering. We have a responsibility to pray on behalf of our nation, repenting for our corporate sins as Daniel did (Dan 9:1-19). There is only one Messiah and He already sits upon the throne of heaven. All of history is rolling toward the end He has determined (Acts 17:30-31). Let us cease from anger. Let us abandon wrath. Let us stop getting so upset. It leads only to evil doing.
Evil doers will be cut off and those who wait for the Lord will without a doubt inherit the land! God’s promises never fail. Take a step back and reflect theologically. God is God. There is no other. Listen to what the LORD says in Isaiah 43:11-13, “I, even I, am the LORD; and there is no savior besides Me. It is I who have declared and saved and proclaimed, and there was no strange god among you; so you are My witnesses,’ declares the LORD, ‘And I am God. Even from eternity I am He; and there is none who can deliver out of My hand; I act and who can reverse it?” No politician or political platform will save you or this country. There is no Savior besides the Lord Jesus. Live out your faith, walk in righteousness, vote your convictions, repent of our national sins, proclaim the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ, and love your neighbor and enemy like Jesus did.