I'll be honest, I know very little about politics, but there has been so much controversy surrounding the recent presidential election that something needs to be said. The fact is that Donald J. Trump, like him or not, will be the President of the United States come January. If I had to make a list of people I thought would make a good POTUS I'm not so sure Trump would have made that list, but I can definitely think of worse candidates. There are some people, though, that can't seem to accept the fact that he's been elected. Well, at this point he's the President-elect, and there's nothing you can do about it...or is there? Well, no there's nothing you can do to prevent him from taking office, but you can help to better things.
Christians need to take a lead here. We need to be an example and do what the Bible says concerning our government leaders. Paul says in 1 Timothy 2:1-4, “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth,” (emphasis my own).
Donald Trump needs our prayers. The President is not a spiritual or religious leader, he is a civil leader. I know a lot of people who have treated this election like a pastoral search. We can't do that. Though our President isn't a spiritual leader, we need to pray that he will honor God with his position. He already wants to make some changes for the better. Remember what the above passage says, “[God] desires all men to be saved.” We should pray that Trump comes to the truth of the gospel. Everyone needs Jesus Christ, even politicians (if you can call Trump a politician).
Not only should we be praying for the man, but we should also take care to respect his authority. Romans 13:1-2 says, “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.”
The election results were no surprise to our omniscient God. Pray for the man that God has put into this position of authority, and be subject to him. The phrase “be subject to” in verse one of that passage gives the impression in the original Greek text of a soldier's absolute obedience to a superior officer. The only exception to this is if our obedience to the civil authorities would require our disobedience to God (such as in the case of the three Hebrews in the book of Daniel). Government leaders are in position for a reason. Just because we don't like one doesn't mean we should throw tantrums in the streets.
Getting a new President can be exciting, and it can maybe be a little scary. Either way, remember that God is in control, and ultimately it is He that we serve. Therefore, we should carry out His commands and have faith that everything will work out for His glory and our good. But we have to approach this with the right attitude. I challenge you right now to examine yourself. Examine your attitude toward the situation of our new President. Commit yourself to follow God's Word concerning our government. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying all of this because I am a Trump supporter. I am saying this because I love and serve Jesus Christ, and His Word needs to be obeyed no matter who is in office here on earth.
Scripture verses taken from New King James version.
