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As I write this article, I know that I am joined by millions of Americans who are this morning still wondering about the results of national elections. We care so much because we believe the stakes to be so high. As I have prayed, studied, and preached so sincerely over the past several weeks, God has instituted government and has positioned each of us to have a pivotal role in its governance, according our current situation. While every Christian throughout history is responsible and accountable to pray for their leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-2) and to come under their authority (Romans 13:1) (except, of course, when those authorities subvert the authority of God—Acts 5:29), Americans have been given the unique privilege of a government “of the people, by the people, and for the people.” As we live out our faith in the public square, we have the calling to influence culture with the gospel of Jesus Christ. All kingdoms of this world will tumble, but until Christ returns, we are to be “salt and light” (Matthew 5:13-14) in every sphere. To this end we have prayed and we have voted…yet, the outcome is still very uncertain.
Of course, our hope cannot reside in a form of government or a political leader. “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself” (Philippians 3:20-21). Yet, our concern for a nation that we love, and our desire to promote the righteousness of God, compels us to care deeply about the outcome of elections. So, where does this leave us when uncertainty abounds in this matter? Are our prayers useless or are our efforts in vain? Certainly, this is not the only circumstance of life when that for which we sought in Jesus’ name results in seeming ambiguity from our perspective. God omnisciently answers prayer in the manner and time of His own choosing. In such moments, to what promises of God can we cling?
Psalm 27, attributed to King David, is a psalm for which little commentary is provided in regard to the circumstances surrounding its writing. Perhaps this is with good intent, since the situation which David describes in his life are not uncommon to our own. David was going through times of uncertainty and distress. Enemies and difficulties seemingly abounded on every side. He describes that though the Lord had certainly provided before, there were now new challenges before him, for which without God’s help, David would surely falter. After alternating between the descriptions of his troubles and his resolved trust in the Lord, David closed the hymn with this declaration:
I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.
—Psalm 27:13-14
David’s words provide for us at least three principles whereby we might face times of uncertainty with great assurance:
In Christ, we can have confidence.
Confidence in every matter is a prize for which most find rather elusive. To know, regardless of the circumstances, that we are standing on firm footing, is a gift for which many desperately seek.
A story is told by John McKay, famous football coach, about his friend, Bear Bryant, and his confidence: “We were out shooting ducks, and finally, after about three hours, here comes one lonely duck. The Bear fires. And that duck is still flying today. But Bear watched the duck flap away, looked at me and said, ‘John, you are witnessing a genuine miracle. There flies a dead duck!’”
There are many who feign confidence, yet what David describes is a hope-filled certainty from both past experience and the sure promises of God. Like David, we also can walk through times of great uncertainty with a great confidence in the One who holds all things together (Colossians 1:17).
In Christ, God’s goodness will cover my life.
This is no flippant, uninformed, name-it-claim-it wish. David’s words in no way imply the absence of trouble nor a naivety regarding a fallen world. God’s goodness to His followers is a promise based upon the very character of God. In Exodus 33:19, God had promised His people, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The LORD.’” It is upon the basis of God’s character, not our own, that we can be certain of God’s goodness toward us. Whether it be the tumultuous circumstances of our nation, or the personal troubles of one’s life, these will end in God’s glory and our good. Though His goodness may come in a manner and time for which we did not expect, it will be tangible and more wonderful than we could possibly fathom (1 Corinthians 2:9).
In Christ, I must wait for the Lord.
Nothing seems more strenuous to our faith than waiting. Yet, this is the very essence of faith—to wait in confidence upon that for which there is no obvious conclusion or for that for which seems it may never come. Yet, David had resolved that He would wait. He is not alone in the record of Scripture. Job was also determined to wait on the Lord, even when he could not envision an end to his troubles (Job 19:25-27). In fact, Heaven is populated by all those who in hope, believed against all hope (Hebrews 12:1)! Charles Spurgeon described what the manner of our waiting upon the Lord should be:
Wait at His door with prayer; wait at His foot with humility; wait at His table with service; wait at His window with expectancy.
So, while all uncertainty and trouble may loom around us, let us cling tightly to the bold assurance we have in Christ! God hears our cries, knows our distress, and will certainly come to our aid! Let’s hurry up and wait!
Jason