When the Election Doesn't Go My Way (What in the World Wednesday)

I am theologically conservative. I am politically conservative. I am socially conservative. 

But I do like medium salsa.

I’m mindful of the time and place for political conversations but I don’t hide who I am or what I believe. 

So I, along with many others of similar political persuasion, went to bed wondering what in the world is going on?

If my ballot were an NFL team, I was the 2020 Jacksonville Jaguars who went 1-15. 

I think my candidate won one race. I think. I hope. 

So what in the world do you do on a Wednesday when it seems like nothing politically went your way?

Let’s take a lesson from a man who knew something about politics, power, and disappointment. King David. Psalm 131.

Check Your Heart Before You Point Your Finger (Psalm 131:1-2)

Was last night hard to watch? What’s wrong with people? What’s this country coming to? 

Were those some of your thoughts?

When you can’t grasp what’s happening on the outside Scripture has a way of refocusing our attention on what’s happening on the inside.

David first wants to check his pride and make sure he’s staying humble. 

O LORD, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. Psalm 131:1

Pride says you deserve to say it. Pride points the finger of blame and wags it at your opponent. Pride makes you think that what you say on social media will fix the world. Pride says everything outside of me has to check with me and make sure that it’s right by me.

Humility says there are some things I can’t understand and very few things I can control and so instead of trying to fix the world, I’m going to draw near to God. David says it like this:

But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me. Psalm 131:2

A weaned child no longer draws milk from its mother, but it wants to stay near its mother. 

I see this right now with my grandchildren. My daughter now has two UNDER two! Her daughter is just a few days old and so when she wants to nurse, it’s obvious. She let’s everyone know. She cries out. 

But her brother has moved on and matured. He no longer needs to nurse. He’s been weaned. But he still wants his mother.

So today – do you want to cry out and let everyone know what you think – or do you just want to draw near to God? 

You may find it hard to understand what’s going on with the world around you, but the focus of Scripture is to ask what’s going on inside of you? 

Look Beyond the Ballot (Psalm 131:3)

We can’t know for sure the personal context of Psalm 131 but David has a deep well of personal experience from which to draw. As I read verse 3, in my mind’s eye, I can see David taking someone who is stressed or disappointed, raising their chin and helping them to look up. 

“O Israel, hope in the LORD from this time forth and forevermore!” (Psalm 131:3)

Think about this. The King is encouraging his people to look beyond his throne. David understood that if the people’s hope were in him that it was a false hope.

Who is your hope in? The President? A political party being in power? 

If that’s your hope it’s a false hope.

And whatever the circumstance, David made it a worshipful moment in encouraging them to look beyond the moment. He wanted them to hope in the Lord now, tomorrow, next month, from this time forth and forevermore.

Was all of your hope in a mid-term election? Is all of your hope going to be in the next election? 

David would encourage you to look beyond the ballot to the true throne today, tomorrow, and forevermore.

Elections determine who holds an office for a season. The sovereignty of God isn’t up for a vote – not now – not ever. Look beyond the ballot.

Conclusion:

The rise and fall of kings, nations, powers and people is more than just a record of history. It makes a theological point.

People (including politicians) are not saviors. They are necessary but temporary. 

The Bible points us to one in Isaiah 9:6-7 who is Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of peace. And the government will be upon his shoulder.  

There is only one who fits that job description. Jesus Christ. 

Draw near to Him.

Let Him work on what is inside of you.

Look beyond the ballot now and forevermore.