It’s over. It’s finally over. Well, the date of election, that is. But actually it’s just the beginning of a new chapter for our country.
Whomever won the election, we were all probably disappointed in some way. I’ve never thought once in my life, that one day when I went to press “submit” on my ballot, I’d have uncontrolable tears running down my face. People in Holly Hill mall didn’t see me walking by with tears of happiness for the choices I made, but tears of deep concern and sadness for the sick, the divided, and broken state of America.
I don’t want this post to be a Debbie Downer, and it may have started off seeming that way, but hold on because it’s going somewhere that I hope brings you encouragement in what seems to be a time of despair.
But before I get there, I have to be honest first and say that I think I’m feeling like Jeremiah in the Bible. The weepy part that is. While reading a blog post I stumbled upon on my Facebook feed a couple of days ago, called “My Prediction For November 9” by Max Lucado, he wrote how Jeremiah lived during one of Israel’s darkest periods of rebellion. “(Jeremiah) was called ‘the weeping prophet’ because he was one. He wept at the condition of the people and the depravity of their faith.”
But something Lucado also said pulled me back to the peace of Christ. He said,
“I have a prediction. I know exactly what November 9 will bring. Another day of God’s perfect sovereignty.
He will still be in charge. His throne will still be occupied. He will still manage the affairs of the world. Never before has His providence depended on a king, president, or ruler. And it won’t on November 9, 2016. ‘The LORD can control a king’s mind as he controls a river; he can direct it as he pleases’ (Proverbs 21:1 NCV)”
God’s. Perfect. Sovereignty.
That’s what I’m grateful for. That’s something to include on my list of thanksgiving, list of gratitude, list of joys.
We must trust God’s sovereignty.
And speaking of trust, it’s something else on my gratitude list. Trust in the Lord, that is. Just like joy, it’s a hard-fought, Biblical lifestyle. Trust is not easy when we grow up and walk away from the gift of childhood faith we were created to keep.
I’ve been reading some writings from Amy Carmichael lately, who was a British missionary in the early 1900’s. In one of her books, “Thou Givest…They Gather”, she writes about the importance of a single word. The word ‘TRUST’. She said when we open the word “trust”, these other words fall out around it. “Rely”. “Depend”. “Rest”. But there’s one more word that’s within the word “trust” that stood out more than the others. It’s “lean”.
Lean. When I think of that word, I think of putting my weight on something else. I lean on a pole, a wall, the side of a car. I can also lean on someone, for example, my father. I trusted him through the years as he let me lean on him when my feet hurt from standing in a long line to wait for a ride at the fair, or when I’d lean on his arm and shoulder as we sat at church. And I’d lean on him when he offered an ear to hear and a heart to love.
You lean because you need that sturdy assurance that something or someone is holding you up. You lean into someone you trust.
God wants us to trust – or lean on – or lean into – Him.
In 2 Chronicles 14:11, when King Asa was praying to God as his country was about to go into battle, he called out, “Help us, O Yahweh our God, for, on Thee, do we lean…” (EBR)
Yep that’s correct. That word is used in the Bible. In this translation, the word “lean” was used where we usually see the word trust.
So, I’m leaning on God. Leaning on, and not letting go of, His sovereignty. I’m putting all my weight on it because everything else around seems to be cracking and unstable. So I’ll lean. Lean like it says to in Scripture:
“When I am afraid, I will lean on Thee.” (Psalm 56:3)
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace…because he leanest on Thee” (Isaiah 26:3)
What if the next time you’re reading the Bible and you see the word “trust”, replace it in with the word, “lean”.
“LEAN on the Lord with all your heart, not your own understanding.” (Prov. 3:5) “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you LEAN on him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13) “I will say to the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I LEAN.” (Psalm 91:2)
My God, in whom I lean.
Our God in whom we trust.
Look on the next shiny, silver quarter you hold in your hand. What does it say?
“In God we trust”. In God we LEAN.
So that’s what I’m going to do. That’s what I have to do. I’m going to keep leaning onto God’s Truth and trusting His sovereignty as Donald Trump and our governmental leaders take office soon. I am thankful for the freedom I have in this country, but even more grateful for the freedom I have through Christ.
God is in control of all things. He knew long ago the results from this campaign. He already knows what is to come in the months and years ahead. It’s all part of God’s big Story that’s a chapter closer to the end where Jesus “will come again to judge the living and the dead” and His Garden will be restored and we’ll live in joy and unity the way He created us to live.
In the middle of it all, for now though, I’m going to lean into God’s promises. I’m going to be grateful for my freedom. I’m going to thank God for His goodness. I’m going to choose to be filled with the joy of the Lord. And I’m going to trust His sovereignty.
In GOD I trust.
Into GOD I lean.
Will you join me?