Finding God in the Noise: Faith Beyond the Ballot Box
Last night was the first presidential debate of what promises to be a firey, drama-filled election season. I'm not going to dissect every moment or score each candidate. Pundits will do that for days to come. Instead, I want to shift our focus to something deeper: the role of faith in the midst of our very human, often messy, political landscape.
It's easy to get caught up in the frenzy. The news cycle is relentless, social media is a battlefield, and it feels like everyone has a strong opinion they're more than willing to share (whether you asked for it or not). But amidst all this noise, a phrase that God placed on my heart nearly 30 years ago keeps coming back to me:
"The Lord has not abandoned us to the comforts of our American exile."
It's a simple statement, yet it holds layers of meaning that are especially relevant today. Let's unpack it together:
Exiles in a Comfortable Land
First and foremost, it reminds us that we are exiles. This isn't our final destination. We're just passing through. As the Apostle Peter wrote:
"Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul." (1 Peter 2:11)
This world is not our home. We belong to a different kingdom, with a different King. We're like the Israelites in Babylon, encouraged by Jeremiah to pray for the well-being of the city we live in, but ultimately to remain set apart.
In America, this exile can be particularly comfortable. We've been blessed with religious freedom, economic prosperity, and a (relatively) stable government. But that comfort can be deceptive. It can lull us into complacency, into believing that this earthly kingdom is all that matters.
A God Who Doesn't Abandon
The second part of the phrase is a powerful reassurance: God has not abandoned us. Even when the political discourse is deafening, He is still speaking. His Kingdom is still advancing. As Jesus said:
"My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place." (John 18:36)
The outcome of an election doesn't change God's sovereignty. It doesn't diminish His power or His love for us.
The Heart of the Matter
This brings us to the most important point: God wants to have priority in our hearts. It's easy to let our political allegiances become idols. We wear our party affiliations like badges of honor, fiercely defending our chosen "side" as if our salvation depended on it.
But the Bible reminds us:
"Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save." (Psalm 146:3)
Our hope is not in a political party, a candidate, or a system of government. Our hope is in Christ alone.
So, What Does This Mean for Us?
As we navigate these tumultuous times, let's remember:
Pray for our leaders: Regardless of our personal opinions, we are called to pray for those in authority. (1 Timothy 2:1-2)
Engage with civility: We can disagree respectfully, without demonizing those who hold different views. (Ephesians 4:29)
Keep our eyes fixed on Jesus: He is our ultimate hope, our Savior, and the one true King. (Hebrews 12:2)
Let's not let the comforts of our American exile distract us from the eternal kingdom we're called to. God hasn't abandoned us, so let's not abandon Him.
With You;
Pastor Tim
