The results of the midterm elections are disappointing to many of us. There are legitimate reasons for concern about the direction of our country and the implications for the issues we care deeply about as Christians.
But while we need to understand what these election results mean politically, we also need to remember what they do not mean spiritually.
Let’s consider both perspectives.
PART ONE: The outcome of the midterm elections means...
1. A more difficult path for advancing a conservative social agenda.
Legislation reflecting traditional Christian convictions on life, marriage, family, and sexuality will face greater resistance in Congress.
2. Greater resistance to pro-life initiatives.
Efforts to advance federal protections for unborn children are likely to encounter increased opposition.
3. More challenges to traditional biblical views of gender and sexuality.
Issues involving transgender policies, parental rights, public education, and the role of religious organizations in public life are likely to become even more contentious.
4. A weakening of traditionally strong bipartisan support for Israel.
We will have a Congress less supportive of Israel, with more members questioning U.S. backing, seeking restrictions on assistance, and challenging Israeli policies. Traditionally bipartisan support for Israel may increasingly become a partisan issue, leaving Israel with fewer dependable advocates in Washington.
5. A more difficult path for conservative judicial appointments.
Control of the Senate will make it more difficult to secure confirmation of conservative judicial nominees and other presidential appointments.
6. Greater political and cultural polarization.
We can anticipate even deepen divisions over America’s founding principles, the role of Christianity in public life, and the moral and cultural direction of our nation.
These are not insignificant developments. For those of us who believe biblical convictions should inform the moral direction of our country, there are legitimate reasons for concern.
But we must not confuse a political setback with a spiritual defeat.
And that brings us to a much bigger consideration.
PART TWO: The sovereignty of God means...
As Christians, we believe that God is sovereign. But what does that actually mean when the political landscape looks very different from what we had hoped?
It means several things that we would do well to remember.
1. God has not been taken by surprise.
Nothing about these election results caught God off guard. He didn’t wake up on November 4 wondering what happened or scrambling to adjust His plans.
ISAIAH 46:9–10 (NASB1995)
“Remember the former things long past, for I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, ‘My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure’;
2. God is still on His throne.
The occupant of the White House may change. The balance of power in Congress may change. Political influence may shift dramatically. But the throne of heaven has not changed hands.
PSALM 103:19 (NASB1995)
The LORD has established His throne in the heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all.
3. God can use anyone to accomplish His purposes.
God is not limited to working through people who acknowledge Him, share our values, or even recognize that He is using them. He can accomplish His purposes through believers and unbelievers alike.
PROVERBS 21:1 (NASB1995)
The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord;
He turns it wherever He wishes.
4. God can accomplish His purposes even through people whose intentions are contrary to His.
Human intentions do not determine the ultimate outcome of history. God can take what others intend for evil and use it for good.
GENESIS 50:20 (NASB1995)
As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.
5. God’s purposes cannot be thwarted by election results.
No political party, president, Congress, or movement has the power to overturn the sovereign will of God.
PROVERBS 19:21 (NASB1995)
Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the counsel of the Lord will stand.
6. God’s power is not diminished by our political weakness.
Losing political influence does not mean losing spiritual influence. The Church’s authority to proclaim the Gospel does not depend on who controls Congress.
MATTHEW 16:18 (NASB1995)
I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it..
7. God can use adversity to accomplish what prosperity cannot.
Sometimes what appears to be a setback becomes the very means through which God accomplishes His purposes. Difficulty can expose misplaced confidence, refine our faith, and deepen our dependence on Him.
JAMES 1:2–4 (NASB1995)
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
8. God may be using this moment to examine where we have placed our confidence.
Have we become more confident in political personalities, parties, and election outcomes than in the Lord? Have we confused political influence with spiritual faithfulness?
Perhaps this is an opportunity for some serious self-examination.
JEREMIAH 17:7–8 (NASB1995)
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and whose trust is the Lord.
For he will be like a tree planted by the water, that extends its roots by a stream
And will not fear when the heat comes; But its leaves will be green,
And it will not be anxious in a year of drought nor cease to yield fruit.”
9. We are still called to pray for those in authority—even those with whom we disagree.
Our responsibility does not end when our preferred candidates lose. Scripture commands us to pray for those who govern us, regardless of their political affiliation or whether we agree with their policies.
1 TIMOTHY 2:1–2 (NASB1995)
First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.
10. God is still changing hearts and transforming lives.
Political change is not the same thing as spiritual change. Our greatest hope for individuals and our nation is not a change in political leadership, but the transforming power of the Gospel.
2 CORINTHIANS 5:17 (NASB1995)
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come..
11. God’s promises concerning Israel do not depend on American election results.
Whatever changes occur in American foreign policy, God’s covenant purposes and promises are not subject to the political fortunes of the United States. Our understanding of those promises must be grounded in Scripture, not in the changing composition of Congress.
JEREMIAH 31:35–36 (NASB1995)
Thus says the Lord, Who gives the sun for light by day
And the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night,
Who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar; the Lord of hosts is His name:
“If this fixed order departs from before Me,” declares the Lord,
“Then the offspring of Israel also will cease from being a nation before Me forever.”
12. God’s ultimate purposes will prevail, and Christ will ultimately reign.
Our hope is not ultimately in the success of a political party, the preservation of a particular administration, or the outcome of the next election. Our hope is in the return and reign of Jesus Christ.
PHILIPPIANS 2:9–11 (NASB1995)
For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
THE BOTTOM LINE
We have every reason to take these election results seriously. We should understand the implications, recognize the challenges ahead, and remain engaged in the political and cultural issues of our time.
We should continue to vote, speak, advocate, pray, and stand for biblical truth.
But we must never allow the results of an election to determine the condition of our faith, the depth of our hope, or our confidence in the purposes of God.
He is still sovereign. He is still working. His purposes will still prevail.
And Jesus Christ is still Lord.
—Stuart
Psalms 47:8 KJV
“God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.”
😍 Thankful that our good God reigns❣️
Once again, I couldn’t have stated it better myself…many thanks Brother Stuart!