“With my great strength and powerful arm I made the earth and all its people and every animal. I can give these things of mine to anyone I choose.”
Is there a cure for the post-election blues?
It’s the day after . . . the donkeys are dancing, while Elephants huddle in misery. Some are certain that our country is on the slippery slope of demise; others see the dawn of a new day of democracy. Meanwhile, the Lame Duck promises to become “Mr. Veto,” but added that “at some point we’ll probably make deals.”
Elections are funny things. Like the aftermath of the final out of the World Series, some will be popping champagne; others consoling themselves with, “Wait til next year!”
Back in ’94, Alan Jackson sang, “There ain’t no cure for the summertime blues.” No doubt that is the sentiment when the political winds shift, and those once “in power” face the coming storm:
There ain’t no cure for the post-election blues.
Well, I disagree. Elections provide a great background for the theological canvas; God bringing out his brush to illustrate for us the way things really are.
In the 7th century BC, Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon ruled the world. Meanwhile, Israel’s political light was dimming. Zedekiah, son of the godly and great King Josiah was a mere puppet on Israel’s throne. For more than twenty years, the prophet Jeremiah had pleaded, prodded, and warned the nation: “Your idol worship will be your demise! God is bringing judgment. Nebuchadnezzar will be his means of delivering it.”
The people weren’t buying it. Like the overconfident political party, there was no way they could lose. Jeremiah was not deterred. He continued to bring God’s word of judgment and he wasn’t pulling any punches.
This is what the Lord of heaven's armies, the God of Israel, says: with my great strength and powerful arm I made the Earth and all its people and every animal. I can give these things of mine to anyone I choose. Now I will give your countries to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, who is my servant. I've put everything, even the wild animals, under his control. All nations will serve him, his son, and his grandson until his time is up. Jeremiah 27:4-7 NLT
God’s message was counterintuitive.
“You want to live? Submit to Nebuchadnezzar. Take that walk to Babylon.
“You want to die, hang around and watch the devastation. Because you WILL go into Babylonian captivity for 70 years.
Seventy years! I’ll be dead and my kids will be on Social Security. What’s a people to do?
Once again, Jeremiah opens his mouth on behalf of God. I encourage you to read the passage in its entirety. Just click here, but if time is short, here’s the CliffNotes:
Bless them: “Work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.” Hey, stop knocking those in places of political prominence. Get on your knees and pray for them. Jeremiah 29:5-7
Trust me: “I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Oh how we love to quote this when things go our way, but God gave it when things were most definitely NOT going their way. Jeremiah 29:10-11
Seek me: “If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.” That’s a big “IF.” It is so much easier to Stew than to Seek. But seeking God, we find the joy in any disappointment. Jeremiah 29:13
Today, whether you are dancing the streets or bemoaning “our certain demise,” it is essential to remember that a political party or a House or a Senate or a President does not dictate your future. As Jeremiah proclaims here and his near contemporary, Daniel, will say the same: “I can give “these seats” to anyone I choose.”
That’s good news!
I can rest: God IS working out his plan. And I can work: Praying for and working for the good of the country and more particularly, the city in which I live. “For its welfare will determine your welfare.”
Yes, there is a cure for the post-election blues, but it is not found in a House or Senate seat, a Governor’s mansion or the White House; it is keeping our eyes fixed on the One seated in the heavenliness who is working out his plan for our good and his glory.