Big day today, huh? Isn't it so odd that half the nation is waking up today absolutely elated at this "great news" and the other half is waking up with "a pit" in their stomachs? I really don't like politics -- like, at all -- but I'm so thankful for our freedoms in this country, which include the freedom to elect our leaders. Did you not just feel so grateful for that as you walked into the polls yesterday? I sure did.
I've followed this election more than I have any other election, and based on my personal convictions, though I never thought I saw a "perfect" candidate in all of this, I will divulge that I woke up today with a pit in my stomach, too. I've heard and read ALL SORTS of things positive and negative about both candidates, and I don't care to go into a political debate about them at this point, but I just want to say that I felt fear this morning. Where is our country headed? What's going to happen to religious freedom? What will life be like in four years?
But here's one thing I've learned in the last year: Fear is a Lie. It's a lie! Fear is never true. As followers of Christ, we have no reason to fear, because our God is in control. There is absolutely nothing to fear. What is the worst thing that could happen? I die? Well, then I get to go be with the Lord, which after my study of Heaven a couple years ago sounds a whole lot better than this unraveling place anyway. Please hear me, because I really don't mean to say that lightly. If death is the worst thing that could happen to us, that's not bad. O Death, where is your sting? Even Death will be defeated by Jesus Himself in the last days.
The only way to combat a lie is with the Truth, so we MUST be looking to Scripture, my friends. Not to the news, not to our friends, not to Facebook for goodness sake! To the Word. His Words. We need to be reading these words, letting them seep into our souls so that they become part of us -- Truth will become part of us.
Maybe for you, the election results do no cause you to fear, but perhaps it's something else...an illness, a job situation, a relational conflict. This Truth will defeat any lies we are believing.
So without further ado, may I remind all of us what the God of the Universe says to us today:
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
"Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall." Psalm 55:22
"Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." Psalm 27:14
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27
"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; you rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows." Psalm 23:4-5
"The Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up the head of those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous." Psalm 146:8
"Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God." Psalm 42:11
"Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." Colossians 3:15
"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." Jeremiah 33:3
"He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord." Psalm 112:7
"Be strong and take heart, all of you who hope in the Lord." Psalm 31:24
"And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28
Which of these are you not believing today? Unless you are believing EXACTLY what those say, you are believing LIES. Don't let your joy and peace be stolen from you, Believers! God is in control, and His perfect love casts out all of our fear (1 John 4:18).
Will life always be easy? No. Will things get worse before they get better? Perhaps. But it's all going to be okay. It really is. That's His promise.
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