Politics and Panic

The American political frenzy is heating up—in fact, you might say it’s boiling over.  And just think: still six months until the general election!  One wonders how the candidates and cable networks can energize campaign mania yet more.  But I’m sure they’ll find a way.

Here are a few words of spiritual counsel for this wild moment:

• The election, the American political landscape, and the success or failure of your preferred candidate, are small matters compared to the enormity, the magnitude of the Gospel.  Let’s keep things in perspective.  Empires rise and fall—the USA is no exception; this country is a blip on the grand timeline of world history.  But the Gospel of Jesus Christ is eternal, unstoppable, and glorious.  So if you’re consumed with politics, and amazing grace has slipped off center stage in your heart, confess this sin—God is merciful (1 John 1:9)—and ask him to help you fix your eyes on Jesus.
• Fear and anxiety express “un-faith.”  So it’s quite unbecoming of disciples of Jesus to dash about in panic.  The Bible makes this point up and down:  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God (Philippians 4:6).  Birds and the lilies don’t fret the day away—and don’t you have more value to the Father than they do? (Matthew 6:24-34).  So confess the sin of worry, and cast your anxieties on God—he cares (1 Peter 5:7).  Be still before the Lord (Psalm 46:10).  Of course, this is not to deny that the USA under Trump or Clinton could come into great calamity.  Rather, this is to say:  “Our God reigns.”  “Jesus is Lord.”  And if you have Jesus, you have enough—you have what matters most!
• Let’s all encourage each other to put first things first:  love God, love neighbor.  This involves informed respect for civil govern­ment (e.g., Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-17; Mark 12:17); it also includes con­sideration of when to echo Acts 5:29, We must obey God rather than men.  Bottom line:  we pledge allegiance to Jesus Christ, King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  He is in charge.  And will see his people through.  Trust him.