For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39 NIV)
If you read my blog regularly, you know that I have been in deep prayer for our elections. I do not believe that the potential for evil and chaos is finished – there’s still 2.5 months before the January 20 inauguration, after all – but it is with a sigh of relief that I view the national election results. Yet it is also with a sigh of sadness. Roughly half the voters in this nation woke up Wednesday to the news that their presidential candidate did not win. Some may not care, but others care very deeply, and are grieving an almost-personal loss. The wounds, tension, and anxiety in our nation do not just go away in a 24-hour period.
The opportunities for worry, anxiety, fear, and other things that are not of God are almost boundless in our world if we don’t know God. But, if we do, how sweet is the reassurance that Emmanuel – God With Us – is present to us to encourage and comfort us when we struggle! Isn’t it like God to give us little moments of reassurance when we face any and every kind of anxiety?
In the last two days these were in my inbox:
How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! (Psalm 133:1 NIV)
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9 NASB)
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27 NIV)
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. (Ephesians 1:3 NASB)
No matter the struggle, God is faithful to us, hears our prayers, and is present to us.
Emmanuel,
Blessed be you, Father, who have blessed us with every spiritual blessing, including the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Thank you for that comfort and encouragement when we are struggling. Thank you that you do not leave us troubled or afraid, but you offer your holy peace. Thank you that you are with us wherever we go, and we stand in faith, in boldness, and in courage because of your presence. Bind up the wounds of this nation, and help us to dwell together in unity, in purpose, and under the leading of the Holy Spirit’s wisdom, righteousness, and peace, we ask in Jesus’s name, AMEN.