As of about 11 a.m. Friday, Americans still don’t know who will control Congress, with the balance of power teetering between Republicans and Democrats and primarily hinging on voters in Arizona, Nevada and Georgia.
Reuters even warned the count could “drag on for days.”
But regardless of the ratio of R’s to D’s come January, the Great I AM will wield all the power. As the Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 13, “For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.”
And even though the Republican “red wave” turned into a trickle at best, another red wave — one that began on Calvary about 2,000 years ago and one independent of and beyond any party or person — promises even greater power.
“Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen,” the inspired writer states in Hebrews 13:20, 21.
Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, He now reigns as King over all principalities and powers, and the repentant who reconcile themselves to God through Jesus now become citizens of a Kingdom that no earthy government can overcome — or even hinder — as Daniel promises.
However, like any earthly Kingdom, citizenship in the Kingdom of God comes with responsibilities — or perhaps opportunities. Jesus, for instance, expects His citizens to work out His righteousness through His power, as the Apostle Paul says in Philippians 2:12 and 13. Similarly, Jesus calls His citizens to “observe,” or guard or keep or protect, all of His commands, as He said in the Great Commission.
And He tells His citizens to live as pilgrims and strangers — distinct in their drive, discernment and desires.
When the world says to hoard its treasures or seek revenge, for instance, Kingdom citizens lay up their treasures in Heaven and forgive their enemies. When the world says to “follow your heart,” citizens follow the Bible to renew their minds and “prove what is good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” When the world focuses on its desires, disciples focus on others’ physical and spiritual needs.
However, unlike the citizens of earthly kingdoms, disciples can only truly fulfill their King’s laws when they love the King, and when they love the King, He ensures even the hardest sacrifices lead to true joy, love and purpose.
“These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full,” Jesus says in John 15:11. “As I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another,” He says in John 13:34, 35. “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples,” He says in John 15:8.
He can say all this because He promises them the power to sacrifice. Furthermore, He only calls them to sacrifice the cares and burdens of this world, though they might not feel like cares and burdens initially.
And when free from these cares and burdens, they can more fully pursue the Kingdom. “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden in light,” He reassures in Matthew 11:29, 30.
“He that loseth his life for my sake shall find it,” He also promises in Matthew 10:39.
And if Christians can “find” such hope even when they lose their lives, surely they can find it when their person or party of choice loses an election.
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