HOW TO GET ALONG AFTER THE ELECTION – “for we be brethren”

I’m not going to lie!  This current Presidential Election has been one of the toughest and most hateful elections I can recall.  The last one I remember being this rough was when Kennedy ran against Nixon in 1964. I was a little girl, and was so negatively affected by the election, that I really believed the world was going to end when American chose John Kennedy over Richard Nixon.  Kennedy turned out to be a wonderful president and the absolute right man for the time, and Nixon was. . . another story.

Today, with the advent of Facebook and twitter, the divisive, mean and hurtful rhetoric that has gone on between candidates, has also overflowed to friends, fellow Christians and fellow Americans.

There are good people on both sides of this election. Some have been desperately hanging on to the current system, which they believe is good and right and best.  Others have been desperately wanting a change in that system believing that this would be what the country needs to survive into the middle of the century.  Each side has fervently believed that what they voted for is the only solution for America.

It has become pretty clear that on November 9, 2016 the result of this election will leave a lot of upset people.  This is a challenge America has to get past.

The good news is that God is in control.

All of America voted, or we should have. We either have the results, or will soon have them.  Ultimately God is the one who puts all leaders in their places, and knows what our country needs, whether it be good or evil. The following are the words of Daniel from the Old Testament. God removes kings and sets them up.

 ^“And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: Daniel 2:20

As a nation we have invested what feels like years, into this election and have put our thoughts and emotions into it. Getting over it will not be easy. Realizing that God is in control is a help those who trust in Him. Yet, we are human and trusting may sometimes be hard.

How will we all be able to get past the election?

Last Sunday night, my Pastor, who is also my husband, preached from Genesis 13 , and as he spoke, my heavy heart was lightened as I saw how this account in the Old Testament could help America, especially American Christians, divided by the election, get past the differences that have severely separated our country. We need to follow Abraham’s example.

Genesis chapter thirteen tells of a situation where Abram (Abraham) and his nephew Lot had just come back from a pretty rough time in Egypt.  They and their families and all their workers had actually been forcibly compelled to leave. Some time before, they had traveled South to Egypt, to avoid a serious famine in the land, and in chapter thirteen had returned to their homeland in the land of Canaan, near Bethel, where they had previously pitched their tents.

Abraham returned from Egypt, very “rich in silver, gold and cattle,” and Lot, who came back with him, had “flocks and herds and tents.”  By all accounts Abraham and his nephew got along well, but it wasn’t very long before there wasn’t enough grazing land or water for their great combined herds.

“And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together.” Genesis 13:6

There was strife, or angry, bitter disagreement and conflict. between Abraham’s herdsmen and Lot’s herdsmen, and even included the involvement of other tribes who dwelt in that area. This is much like the strife we have seen as the result of the election.  This strife could have severely damaged the relationship between Abraham and his nephew, as well as others who lived in that area. It involved the men who worked for Abraham and Lot and threatened their very livelihood.

“And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren.” Genesis 13:8

Here’s the solution that is needed for our country. Abraham took Lot aside and told him that this strife needed to be over between their herdmen. The reason: “for we be brethren.”

America: “for we be brethren!”  

Get over it! We need each other. We are brothers and sisters and friends. Step out and speak kindly. Treat those who are hurting gently and humbly. React to those who are happy about the election as you would wish others to react if your side had won. Abraham reached out to Lot and let him make the decision as to what area of the land he wanted for his own.  He chose, and the herds were moved and they got over it, and that was the end.

There have been millions of people praying for our country over these last weeks. Praying that God might heal our land. Praying this  with a heart of humility.  This needs to continue.

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;” 1 Timothy 2:1-2

This is a wonderful thing that has happened.  The Lord wants American to be a humble land one that is known as a Christian nation. He wants us to pray for our new president. Most of all He wants to see all men come to know Him. This section of Timothy continues:

“Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;  Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” 1 Timothy 2:3-5

This would be the most awesome result of the election, to first of all see people saved and for Christians to continue to follow the words of I Chronicles 7:14 and have the Lord really and truly heal our land, “for we be brethren.”