I am thankful for the freedom and hope that living in America brings. But far greater is the freedom and hope God provides through salvation. No matter what man accomplishes, God has a greater plan. He moves the heads of whomever He desires to fulfill His agenda. God's grace allows for time for all to come to Him. He is kind and gracious to give us the gift of time. Time to compel more people to seek and find life through Christ's work on the cross. I have no doubt about who has sustained the world and all blessings our country has received. And I have no doubt that He is still working and moving to accomplish His redemptive plan.

Sometimes we forget that God controls and orchestrates the world's plan and not man. No one can thwart His purpose of good on behalf of mankind.

This is the Day

Today is the day. The present is all we have. For a believer, God says we are to rejoice in this day, for it is a gift from God.

"This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24

He doesn't want us squandering this day, cowering in fear, or looking back in regret and shame. And while He wants us to look forward with hope, He also wants us to live today as if it were our last. How will we respond to this day? Will we rejoice and be glad? I believe our testimony and peace depend on that answer.

Trust the Creator

Colossians 1:16-17 "For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together."

There is nothing that exists without Christ holding it all together. He is above all things -- even the invisible things we can't see. There is no throne or ruler that is free from God's control. They are all placed and created "for him". That is such a comfort to me. We can trust our Creator God.

Today, before you exercise your right to vote, will you exercise your faith and read these promises of God and let them be reflected in your attitudes and reactions to life today?

Isaiah 41:10  "Fear not, for I am with you;
    be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

John 16:33  "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Isaiah 40:31 "but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
    they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
    they shall walk and not faint."

Philippians 4:9 "What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you."

Romans 8:28  "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."

Isaiah 54:10 "For the mountains may depart
    and the hills be removed,
but my steadfast love shall not depart from you,
    and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,”
    says the Lord, who has compassion on you."

John 8:36 "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."

Psalm 9:9-10 "The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed,
    a stronghold in times of trouble.
And those who know your name put their trust in you,
    for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you."

Romans 8:31-35 "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written,
“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
    we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us."

Read. Think on. Read again. Repeat. Do this until.

Until you have peace about who is in control here. Until you believe these promises are true. You will know you believe when your actions reveal your trust.

Whether you have voted or not today...trust God. Believe His promises. Because of Christ, there is reason to rejoice regardless of outcome. Take a 3 x 5 card to read in the voting line if you need to, but be changed today through the encouragement of Scriptures. 

What other promises of God do you hold onto?