The Sun Comes Up, It's A New Day Dawning

Dear New Covenant Family,

Many evangelical Christians are feeling a sense of disappointment by the political landscape of our nation. I want to remind us today why we should never lose heart. Jesus is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The cure for what ails our nation is not found in a political leader or in a political party. No candidate or political party faithfully represents a biblical worldview on all of the key issues. So while I believe politics matters, I still rejoice because politics is not what ultimately matters.

As a church, we have abundant reasons for hope and confidence: our God is still sovereign over all, and he is not surprised by the election, nor is he wringing his hands! The gospel is still the power of God unto salvation for all who believe! And the Spirit of God is not limited in his ability to do far more abundantly than we could ask or imagine as we seek to faithfully fulfill our mission—

To bring glory to God
through Spirit-transformed lives
by the beauty and power of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

As the church of the Lord Jesus Christ, may we redouble our efforts to make disciples of all nations, with joyful confidence in the ultimate triumph of Christ our King, who promises that he will be with us always, even unto the end of the age!

Tonight we will pray together, from 5:30—7:45, using the letter of 1 Peter as our guide. I was prompted to follow this direction by an excellent post that I read last night from Collin Hansen. He wrote this letter to himself while the outcome of the election was still unknown. Here’s an excerpt:

No matter what happens, I want you to remember how encouraged you were yesterday to see so many Christians testify to their faith in God alone. Today will be an especially good day to read 1 Peter. By professing trust in the God who makes rulers rise and fall, whether we understand his purposes or not, we "honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you" (1 Pet. 3:15). Gentleness and respect have been almost totally absent from the campaign. Slander begat slander. Evil has been celebrated as freedom. But you can in good conscience put to shame even the vile by doing good in Christ. You must not, under any circumstances, return evil for evil. "For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil" (1 Pet. 3:17).

Nothing you will endure under the leadership of either leader---who both thumb their nose at God's Word in many respects---can compare with the hardships faced by the elect exiles of the dispersion. Yet the chastened, impassioned apostle Peter told these harried believers, "Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor" (1 Pet. 2:17). You may be rightly concerned that President Obama, if re-elected, will continue to restrict religious freedoms that, while protected by the Constitution, conflict with progressive priorities to redefine marriage and fund abortion. But not even your worst-case scenario can compare to what Jesus Christ has already endured. In fact, all who have been called to Christ have been called to suffer, "because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps" (1 Pet 2:21). Unlike you, "he committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly" (1 Pet. 2:22).

If we suffer political defeat like those who have no hope but politics, we do not even commend ourselves, let alone the God who hung the moon and stars. But if we grieve as those who hope in the return of the King, those who trust in flawed politicians may one day see our good deeds and praise our Father in heaven. Jesus did not give his life so we could watch cable news as if our lives depended on it. Jesus submitted to death ordered by rulers so we might never fear them. "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness" (1 Pet. 2:24).

Read the whole article for further encouragement. And come tonight for prayer, believing that the God of glory, majesty, dominion, and authority will use this time to keep us from stumbling in these momentous days. May we continue to proclaim the gospel as a lamp shining in a dark place, “until the day dawns and the morning star rises in [our] hearts”
(2 Peter 1:19).

Come, Lord Jesus!

Pastor David Sunday