Prophetic vs. Political: Thoughts on the Day After Obama's Election

President Obama. I'm still trying to get used to saying those words. I didn't support him, but now that he is president, I will give him my respect and prayers as he engages the very difficult task of leading our nation. I had an interesting talk with my kids as I took them to school this morning. They asked me why Obama's election was so historic. I was able to explain to them that just a few years ago, it would have been impossible for a black man to be elected president. They didn't understand, so I told them about the evils of racism and how white people behaved in ways that were not pleasing to God. That is changing, and for that I am glad. In many ways, America is a better place today because we are putting aside race as a determining factor in how we treat people. I still believe that the Church can lead the way on this, but I am glad to see America moving on from past sins. In a strange way, America engaged in national repentance last night for over 300 years of wrong. If our eyes are closed, we will miss what is happening.  UPDATE:  My friend Andrew sent me a link to a really interesting CNN article talking about the racial healing that is taking place in America with Obama's victory. Some of the interviews take place in my city of Montgomery, Alabama. Check it out.

As I said in my previous post, I am not worried about a liberal Democrat becoming president. I do not agree with many of Obama's policies, but I trust that God is in control. I choose to look to Him. As I watched the news coverage last night, I heard news anchors who were almost in tears because of their joy. I saw people dancing in the streets and I DID see many people in tears. A lot of people in America now have a great deal of hope that things are going to be better. I understood the emotion from African Americans, and to an extent, I understood why Obama supporters were so happy. Even though I understand, I am struck with the folly of putting our faith in men. I hope that Obama is a good president, but no matter how well he governs, he is just a man. Men fail and disappoint us. It seems that we struggle to learn that lesson.

Along those same lines, I hope that evangelical Christians have learned that the Republican Party is not our hope. It is now fractured, inept, and very sad. They lost their way and we didn't even have enough moral strength to affect the party that we had lashed our hopes to, must lest affect the nation. Something in me says that evangelicals have lost their way as well. Most younger evangelicals that I know have long given up on the Republican Party, seeing it for what it is. The issue of abortion has kept us in the fold up till now, but after years of Republican presidents, a majority in Congress, and 7 out of 9 Supreme Court justices being appointed by Republicans, many understand that if Republicans were going to do something about abortion, they would have done so. We have to get back to changing hearts and minds and that only happens when people have an encounter with God. Unfortunately, our close ties with Republicans have caused many to see evangelicals in a political way, instead of as people overcome by the power of the gospel. We should be involved in politics, but we should do so in a prophetic, transformative way.

A.W. Tozer said, "It is impossible to keep our moral practices sound . . . while our idea of God is erroneous and inadequate."

Rick Warren has said, "What you believe about God determines your happiness, your direction . . . and ever facet of your life."

It appears that our view of God has diminished a great deal and we are bearing the fruit of that. We see God in a consumeristic way, as though He is there primarily to meet our needs. Salvation becomes all about us. Our spiritual life becomes all about us. Church participation becomes all about us. God becomes a means to our own personal happiness. It is not surprising that we view politics, government, the economy, our relationships, our jobs, and our marriages the same way. So, how will things change? We must be salt and light and value God and His glory above everything else. If we will live from that point and lash our hope to Him, then we are free to change and engage the world prophetically. There are a lot of positives that could come from an Obama presidency. Let's make sure that we, as the people of God, act as a blessing to this nation we say we love during this incredibly pivotal time. Let us rejoice with those who rejoice because for many, this election signals a new America - one that they have spent their lives praying for.  If we fail to understand that we will not be able to communicate with people from other perspectives. The gospel remains the issue. Let's not diminish a hearing for the gospel over politics.  

Comments

[Lisa Rose]

Wow..my thoughts exactly. I was just having a discussion with someone about this. Thanks for putting this into such eloquent words.

[Beth]

"Even though I understand, I am struck with the folly of putting our faith in men."

Did you talk to Tom last night? "Why are these people crying? It's just so sad they put their hope in a man instead of God."

[Dr. Paul W. Foltz]

No political party, nor no man is the answer to our national crisis. Only God can do it. God will do it, when His people want it, and exhibit that they want it through prayer and fasting.

[Misti]

"The gospel remains the issue. Let's not diminish a hearing for the gospel over politics."

Thank you, Alan. This is what I needed to be reminded of. You're right.

So much lately, the Lord has been teaching me (firmly but gently) that all of the universe (including our human piece) is about Him being glorified. I prayed that he would be glorified by whatever happened. I trust that will come to pass.

Give my best to your sweet ones.
M

p.s. How sweet is it that little white children in Montgomery, Alabama, raised by parents from Alabama and Mississippi could not process the idea of why it was a big deal that Obama was both black and the president elect? Doesn't that, in itself, show how far God has brought us in healing as a country?

[Natalie H.]

I like what you said regarding Obama's election. I did not vote for him, but I must honor him based on Romans 13. I specifically liked your statement, "Even though I understand, I am struck with the folly of putting our faith in men."

I was reading today in The Attributes of God by A.W. Pink and he writes, "No human being is to be depended on. 'Put not your trust in princes, in the son of man, in whom is no help' (Psalm 146:3). If I disobey God, then I deserve to be deceived and disappointed by my fellows. People who like you today, may hate you tomorrow. The multitude who cried, 'Hosanna to the Son of David,' speedily changed to 'Away with Him, Crucify Him.' Herein is solid comfort. Human nature cannot be relied upon; but God can!"

Thanks for this post.

[cb scott]

Alan,

I was just thinking about you. I probably thought of you from 27-21 times in the last few hours:-)

cb