”As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” (Ephesians 4:1-6).

I wrote this on Tuesday afternoon, November 5. The election results would be coming in later this evening, and we would likely have a good idea who our next president would be. All the analysts are doing their what-if analyses, but it will probably be too close to call until the final ballot is counted. Of course, now we are pretty sure. And this devotional remains applicable.

We are a nation deeply divided in our politics. We are a nation that seems to define ourselves more by politics than by gender or race or economic background. We are divided by color—red or blue.

In our divisiveness, many fear that we are doomed if the “other” candidate wins. But if I have learned anything from our Bible study, it is that this is an incomplete scenario. Here are two principles that explain how this scenario falls short.

For this first principle, the book of Daniel, chapter 3, is instructive. The book is set in Babylon. King Nebuchadnezzar, the most powerful ruler in the world at that time, took the Israelites from Judah into captivity. This Nebuchadnezzar is so powerful and so arrogant and so egotistical that he is easily persuaded to build monuments to himself and to order hero worship. He is a ruthless king, willing to send those who disobey to certain death in the fiery furnace (you should really read the chapter). Yet when God saved Daniel’s three friends from the fire, Nebuchadnezzar praised the Lord (v.28).

In chapter 6, a subsequent ruler sends Daniel to the lion’s den. God shut the mouths of the lions and Daniel was spared, causing the Persian King Darius to proclaim: ““I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. ‘For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions’” (Daniel 6:26-29).

The principle of the sovereignty of God is our guide. God was sovereign over Babylon and Persia during the time of Daniel, and he is sovereign over our world today, regardless of who is sitting in any oval office or on any earthly throne. “And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way” (Ephesians 1:22-23).

Remember, we are commanded by God to obey whoever is elected, again, because God is sovereign over all. “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God” (Romans 13:1).

Secondly, there are two sides, but they are defined differently than by any of the above factors. The two sides are (1) believers in Jesus, Son of God, and (2) unbelievers in Jesus, Son of God. And each of these two sides includes both “reds” and “blues.” However, we need to realize that at least for believers, our unity in Christ transcends all else. Don’t get me wrong. It is not a bad thing to have differences of opinion and civil debates. But we need to see beyond these differences of opinion to the heart of our fellow man. The opening verse describes this unity that is empowered by the Holy Spirit. We are called to be peacemakers, not just peacekeepers. That takes work, sacrifice, grace, and mercy.

The principle of the Trinity is our guide. The relationship between the Trinity–God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit–define and model the relationship we should have with God and each other, as witness to the world of the saving grace of Jesus.

“I ask that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me” (John 17:21).

In Christ,

Judy

P.S.: If you would like to talk more about any of these devotions or matters that concern you, please stop by my office, or call or text me at 615-804-3453 to arrange a time, and I will be happy to speak with you.