We’ve used words like “historic” and “unprecedented” so much since early 2020 that hearing those words last night didn’t seem all that historic or unprecedented. Technically, as a nation, we have historic nights every four years, and there’s been something “unprecedented” about those historic nights for the past several election cycles.
Yes, we witnessed a historic and unprecedented event last night with the election of a new President. In January, President Trump will become our 47th President. That’s historic. It’s almost unprecedented in that he’ll be the first President to serve non-consecutive terms since Grover Cleveland set the precedent in the late 1800s.
Today is the day after, and the question we now face is “What now?” Many are jubilant over the news. Others, not so much. I’ve heard much optimism from segments of the population, and I’ve listened to great trepidation regarding the future from other segments. The only question I’m really asking myself is, “What now, as a follower of Jesus and a member of God’s kingdom?”
I spent a few weeks at FBC talking about how God’s purpose must have priority over politics in a sermon series titled “Kingdom Agenda,” as well as a supplemental video series by the same title. The temptation I now face is to shelve the practical application that I might have felt was more important going into the election. However, truths from Scripture that helped guide me before November 5th must continue to guide me into the future.
Once I got settled into the office this morning, I began to pour over 1 Samuel 13 in preparation for tonight’s Bible study. As an aside, I put as much effort and preparation into my Wednesday night teaching duties as I do the preparation for the Sunday morning sermon. Preachers are a dime a dozen, and each one has their own philosophy. While some prefer to go a bit lighter for the smaller Wednesday crowd and more “relaxed” setting, I find myself almost doing more of the academic work for the Wednesday study.
Anyway. Some may strongly believe in coincidence, happenstance, etc. I choose to believe that the Lord is sovereign and providential, and that nothing happens by accident. As I began to work through 1 Samuel 13, the Lord used the Holy Spirit to provide an answer – or at least part of the answer – to my earlier, “What now?” question.
If you back up to 1 Samuel 8, you’ll find the people of Israel demanding a king. Prior to this, God used individuals (i.e., Abraham and Moses) and judges (i.e., Deborah, Gideon, and Samson) to guide his people as they lived in a theocracy, where God was the only sovereign to whom they answered. But they saw the pattern of the nations surrounding them. They all had kings, and they wanted one as well.
God raised up Samuel to relay a message to the people. Samuel was the last judge and first prophet, and as such, occupied a unique role in mediating the relationship between the Lord and his people. Samuel warned them that a king would not be beneficial. From the beginning, God wanted his people to trust in him and not a representation of him. In asking for a king, the elders of Israel thought that better politics or government could meet their needs, needs that God had been meeting since day one.
“But we’ll be like all the other nations!” was their response to Samuel’s warning about the desire for a king. Yet, from the beginning, God’s goal was for Israel to NOT be like every other nation. God wanted to make a special nation from these people, but they wanted to be just like everyone else.
Fast forward. God granted their request for a king, even though it was the wrong request. A guy from the tribe of Benjamin named Saul was chosen and anointed as Israel’s first king. They finally had their king. The monarchy was established.
As 1 Samuel 13 opens, we find Saul organizing Israel’s first official, professional army. They immediately found themselves in conflict with the Philistines. But they had their king, and he was doing what kings do. A king, they believed, would solve their problems.
“Jonathan [Saul’s son and an officer in the Israelite army] attacked the Philistine garrison in Gibeah, and the Philistines heard about it. So Saul blew the ram’s horn throughout the land saying, ‘Let the Hebrews hear!’ And all Israel heard the news, ‘Saul has attacked the Philistine garrison, and Israel is now repulsive to the Philistines.’ Then the troops were summoned to join Saul at Gilgal.
“The Philistines also gathered to fight against Israel: three thousand chariots, six thousand horsemen, and troops as numerous as the sand on the seashore. They went up and camped at Michmash, east of Beth-aven.
“The men of Israel saw that they were in trouble because the troops were in a difficult situation. They hid in caves, in thickets, among rocks, and in holes and cisterns. Some Hebrews even crossed the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead.
“Saul, however, was still at Gilgal, and all his troops were gripped with fear. He waited seven days for the appointed time that Samuel had set, but Samuel didn’t come to Gilgal, and the troops were deserting him.” (1 Samuel 13:3-8)
Just a few chapters earlier, many of the people thought, “What we really need is a king! A king would solve our problems!” Now they have their king, but the problems are still there. The mere presence of a mortal man could not do what only God could do.
I fully realize that our context is vastly different from that of Israel. I’m not attempting to parallel park the text of 1 Samuel 13 to our context or circumstances. I am in no way comparing America to Israel, nor am I comparing the citizenry of Israel to the citizenry of the United States, or even to the composition of the church. It’s not my intent to compare Donald Trump to King Saul or Kamala Harris to the Philistines or vice versa.
I’m just sharing with you what I believe the Spirit of God spoke to my heart this morning as I read this text. We often think people or things will fix problems when they won’t because some problems that need fixing can’t be fixed by mortal men and women. Regardless of the results of the 2024 election, the 2028 election, and so forth, our trust must be in the Lord, not a man or a woman, not a king of a president, not a pope or a pastor. Yes, we look for God to use others (and ourselves), but our hope for the future must reside in the one who holds that future.
“What now, as a follower of Jesus and as a member of God’s kingdom?”
I lift my eyes toward the mountains.
Where will my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
(Psalm 121:1-2)
Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
They collapse and fall,
but we rise and stand upright.
(Psalm 20:7-8)
“What now, as a follower of Jesus and as a member of God’s kingdom?”
I’m going to trust God’s power because I believe his desire will be accomplished in his way and in his time.
I’m going to trust God’s providence, which means I believe that he’ll use all leaders to accomplish his purpose.
I’m going to trust God’s prerogative. I plan to obey the clear command of Scripture and pray for our leaders and follow their leadership so long as in doing so, I don’t stop following the leadership of the Lord.
I’m going to trust God’s plan. I must never allow any human leader of any earthly entity to push me to a posture in which I gloat or to push my spirit to a place of gloom.
I’m going to trust God’s purpose. I must be about the Father’s business, sharing the good news of his kingdom on this side of eternity while I wait for the appearing of my Savior, because my eternal citizenship is with him in heaven.
The View From My Pew 