November 3rd, 2020 – Election Day
I’m off and running in a few minutes to my “last stand” (literally) as an Election clerk this morning. I anticipate lines out the door, but certainly less than the two-hour line I stood in for 2016’s election day. I saw this headline by CNN’s Chris Cillizza, Editor at Large: “Why November 4, 2020 could be a very bad day” which made me remember 2016’s election and the words of one of my favorite authors. I disagree with Mr. Cillizza. It will NOT be a bad day – regardless of the outcome. Many are expecting riots and violence, no matter what the outcome. But not us. We’re people of faith! We don’t expect tragedy; we pray and believe for peace, justice and VICTORY.
There is nothing I could say today that could top Max Lucado’s words from 2016’s election. It still holds truth today. I wouldn’t give up my own blog for just anyone, but because I believe these words so much, it’s as though this is my own blog. I urge you to read every word and realize, no matter what…..WE WIN! I have changed some of the wording, using brackets [ ] to better reflect this election.
“We are really ready for this presidential election to be over. We’re ready for an end to the rancor and tackiness. Voters on both sides feel frustrated, even embarrassed by it all. There is a visceral fear, an angst about the result. What if so and so wins? When we wake up to [November 4th] post-election, when the confetti are swept away and the election is finally over, what will we see? [Well, we may not see confetti because it seems election results may not be that night.]
I have a prediction. I know exactly what [November 4th] will bring — another day of God’s perfect sovereignty. He will still be in charge. His throne will still be occupied. He will still manage the affairs of the world. Never before, has His providence depended on a king, president, or ruler. And it won’t on [November 4, 2020]. “The LORD can control a king’s mind as He controls a river; He can direct it as He pleases.” (Proverbs 21:1)
Understanding God’s sovereignty over the nations opens the door to peace. When we realize that God influences the hearts of all rulers, we can then choose to pray for them rather than fret about them. Rather than wring our hands, we bend our knees, we select prayer over despair.
Jeremiah did this. He was the prophet to Israel during one of her darkest periods of rebellion. He was called “the weeping prophet” because he was one. He wept at the condition of the people and the depravity of their faith. He was so distraught that one of his books was entitled Lamentations. But then he considered the work of God. Note the intentionality of his words: “This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. The LORD’s lovingkindness indeed never ceases, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentation 3:21-23
Let’s imitate Jeremiah. Let’s lift up our eyes. Let’s dare to believe that good things will happen. Let’s dare to believe that God was speaking to us when He said: “In everything God works for the good of those who love Him.” (Romans 8:28).
© MaxLucado, October 2016