September 23, 2020
Have you ever been disappointed with the result of something? I have. Have you ever pinned your hope on a particular result, a win by your baseball, football, basketball or hockey team? What happened when the results were not favorable? What happened when they were favorable? Did you gain or lose hope over the result of a game? But what if an unfavorable result was more personal to you. Have you ever lost hope after something you had hoped for did not happen? How about the results of an election? Is there any result that really gives you hope?
Right now, we are in the throes of the end of a shortened baseball season, the start of a new football season and an impending election. I live in Minnesota and have had my hopes dashed several times when the Vikings failed to win the big game. In fact, a lot of people I know in Minnesota no longer have hope that the Vikings will ever win a Super Bowl. Then there are the Twins…right now it looks like they will face the New York Yankees to start the playoffs. Well that means we will be eliminated in the first round because it has been a long time since we have won a game against the Yankees in the postseason, we have lost hope. But is that the hope I am talking about in this blog? I think not. It has no long-term consequences. It has no bearing on eternity.
Now as to the upcoming election. America has a choice to make. I hear people on both sides say all hope is lost if the candidate they do not support loses. Really, they believe the America as we know it will be over. There is reason for concern, but I submit to you, two things from the Scriptures. First God oversees the election. “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” Romans 13:1 (ESV) Second that Christians are supposed to engage in the process. We are to vote not thinking of politics but thinking of Christ. So, when you vote, vote for the candidate the represents your Christian faith. I came to the conclusion that Christians should vote because of 1 Timothy 2:1-4, “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (ESV) Here Paul tells us that we should pray. Well in Paul’s day they could not vote so praying was the only way to have godly governmental leaders. Today we can have godly leaders by electing them. So, my logic says based on this passage that it would be reasonable to think we should vote. Look at the why that follows. In a few short words we should do it so we can lead others to saving faith in Christ which is the true hope that all men need. No matter the results in November our hope is not dependent on it.
But is almost never that we get hope from results. The best place for you to get hope is from God. As King David say, “And now, O Lord, for what do I wait?
My hope is in you.” Psalms 39:7 (ESV)
The only result that really matter is the result that occured when Jesus died and rose again and by faith, we believed it and received eternal life. If you have not already received eternal life Find out here!
You can find my book, Hope Amid Hopelessness: Our Abba Father Provides a Way Through Mental Illness here.
eBook or Audiobook versions can be found at Westbow Press or Christianbook.com at Amazon or Google
