Peace And Politics
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE:
Psalm 37: 23-24
Revelation 1: 18
SHOW NOTES:
Peace and politics—two words that rarely occur within the same sentence. With an election coming in a mere couple of days, you may ask how to hold your peace in a time when the world is so seemingly crazy. May this be a boost of faith that you can maintain your peace no matter what storm comes your way or however awry the government may become. You serve a sovereign God who reigns above any political party or difficult circumstance. Don’t let the world or what is going on around you steal the peace that resides within you.
We all want to experience and live in peace. Whether it’s an election year or a difficult season, when you decide not to engage in the chaos and anxiety, you’re one step closer to peace! Nothing can take your peace unless you surrender it. As a child of God, peace is your portion. You have the peace of God which transcends all understanding (Philippians 4)—a peace that extends beyond however bad your natural circumstances appear to be.
Mark 4 recounts the story of Jesus calming a storm. Though a storm is raging around Him, Jesus is unmoved. What is your response when storms are all around? Are you sleeping soundly like Jesus, or are you stressed? Our relationship with Jesus gives us access to supernatural peace. Jesus responded to chaos by releasing what He was full of—peace! If you're full of anxiety and stress when trials occur, anxiety and stress will be released.
How can you be sure that what you release in times of trouble is good? Guard what is going into your heart and mind. What are you ingesting daily? Though there is power in knowledge and we should be informed on current events and aspects of the government to a degree, we cannot let politics consume us to the point where our hope is solely in a political party. We serve an unshakable God. Fill yourself with the Word, worship, and prayer, rather than engaging in the news or what social media says. God has called us to be set apart as peacekeepers.
When you’re struggling to keep your peace, trust God!
Trust in God’s sovereignty.
“The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives” (Psalm 37: 23-24). No matter what's happening around you, remember that you serve a sovereign God. Nothing going on in your life personally or in the world will take God off guard. He is the alpha and omega, the beginning and the end (Revelation 1: 18). Our part of the covenant isn’t to figure things out; it’s to lean into Him with trust.
Trust in His faithfulness.
God is a God that can perform miracles. Time, leaders, and economies will all change, but God’s faithfulness remains the same. If He did it then, He will do it again. Put your trust in a covenant-keeping God. We should pray and be informed, but we don’t have to worry. We serve a God who is faithful.
Trust in the character of God.
God will never leave or forsake you. His character is to protect, provide, and love you! When you lean into His character, you can trust His sovereignty and faithfulness. God’s character can keep you focused amid the chaos. Not only will you keep your peace, but you will release peace as a child of God to those who need peace.
Speak God’s Word of peace over politics, policies, and polls. Be reminded He is sovereign, He is faithful, and He is working all things together for your good.