Follow the Lamb in this heated political season

I am certainly no presidential historian or even a history expert for that matter. You may not be either. However, I cannot remember such venom in a presidential campaign and election as we have seen in this last one. Even families have experienced this frustration.

After Thanksgiving, I heard about a family that was going to get together on the Thanksgiving holiday but the rule was: No talking politics. Everyone was so tense and knew that if either candidate was mentioned, there might be a family brawl.

Not long after that, a different family got together for Granddad’s birthday. The results of the presidential campaign election came up, opinions were explicit stated with a few expletives, and various relatives became upset. When the conversation came to a boiling point, half the family walked out of the celebration. So much for the birthday for the old granddad.

Then the personal remarks referring to candidates and their families, the critical comments about their children and grandchildren, and other vicious and mean-spirited statements have become the norm in this last presidential campaign. And those comments are still going on.

Americans have the right to peacefully protest. That is my American right. However, I do not have the right to throw objects through the windows of a Starbucks, or a Bank of America, causing hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages, and causing bodily injury to first responders. Yet, I do have the right to peacefully protest. What has happened to America?

Whether you are celebrating or mourning the outcome of the last election, the Bible plainly speaks of our role as Christians in relation to our government. We do have a specific responsibility and it is not to trash cities or spew hate and curse words over the airwaves.

First, the Bible tells us to pray for our leaders. Paul told Timothy in his letter to him: “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” (1 Timothy 2:1-2, KJV).

Second, the Bible tells us that God hears us and God can influence the hearts of kings and rulers. (Proverbs 21:1).

Also the Scripture says that the “king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water” (Proverbs 21:1). The meaning? God in his supremacy can turn the core of a king at any moment and in whichever way.

Third, the Bible tells us that we do have evil in our world and every Christian should be praying that that evil will be contained, and especially the evil in our own hearts. We all ought to be praying for our country and each other: There should be a consciousness of resolve in our entreaties to the Father. We must realize that we “do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12).

Fourth, God has promised healing for our country if we pray for his guidance: “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

One preacher this last Sunday put it this way: We should not follow a donkey or an elephant. We should follow the Lamb. Good advice for this season in America.

Judy Brandon writes about faith for The Eastern New Mexico News. Contact her at: [email protected]