David Platt on the Election
It’s been quite an interesting couple of days here in the States, to say the very least. One of the most apparently divisive election cycles, at least in recent history, roared into an unexpected crescendo of questions, disbelief, and a flurry of emotional, guttural responses. This was from constituents of both parties as they watched the little red and blue maps fill in on their TV screens Tuesday night. From laughter to tears to outbursts of anger to utter astonishment, the raw reactions to the election results have run the full emotional gambit.
Blindsided From the Election
Why? Because so few saw it coming. So few people really expected the votes to shake out to that particular final tally. Especially not in the manner they did. Electoral maps were redrawn, with each candidate winning–and losing–in counties and states their respective parties normally carry.
Common wisdom also said that there would be major shakeups in the House and Senate elections. But there again, expectations fell flat. It was people, not the governmental entities, that were shaken. The stock market even experienced major swings simply because Wall Street didn’t expect the news that came pouring in Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.
I watched news from the United States concerning our next president spread to the world. I have been intrigued by the diverse responses from various people in many nations. To be sure, most people have been surprised, but they’ve expressed themselves with as wide an array of emotions as those in the States–from exuberance to anger to disbelief and everything in between.
Nothing Has Changed
Nevertheless, with all of the uncertainty of the election reminding us that the world is an unsure place, it sure has been good to remember that the most significant news in the world remains completely unchanged. It’s the news that our King is still on His throne (Psalm 45:6, Hebrews 1:8). Our citizenship is still in His kingdom (Ephesians 2:19; Philippians 3:20). Our confidence is still in His reign (1 Corinthians 15:20-28). Also, our joy is still in His salvation (Psalm 35:9; 51:12). Our inheritance is still as His children (Ephesians 1:11, 1 Peter 1:4). Lastly, our hope is still in His coming (Titus 2:13).
None of these things have changed. Not one. And none of them would have changed had another candidate won the presidency. Consequently, brothers and sisters, our task today remains just as sure today as it was yesterday or the day before. We are spreading the immeasurably glorious news of the immortally gracious King to men, women, and children around the world whose hearts are all longing for the one Leader who alone can love, protect, provide for, save, and satisfy them not just for a time on this earth, but for all time in eternity. That is news worth telling the world.
Unshaken Faith
Let’s take our cues from the likes of David, who declared time and again, through trouble and trial, that the presence of the Lord guaranteed that he would not be shaken (Psalm 16:8; 62:2,6). The author of Hebrews also reminds us that Christ’s kingdom is completely unshakeable. When the shaken falls away, his kingdom stands (Hebrews 12:18-29).
The image of the nations gathered around the throne in Revelation 4 solidifies not only that Christ will reign and his kingdom will stand. But also that many people from all the nations will cast their crowns before the throne and join in the chorus. They will sing, “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created” (Revelations 4:11).
No election can unsettle the good plan of our God. So, let’s spread the glorious news of Christ and his unshakeable kingdom with zeal, passion, steadfast urgency, and Spirit-filled unction, particularly among unreached men and women throughout the world who have never even heard His name. Let’s do so as if the election didn’t change anything, because, well, by God’s grace, it didn’t.
Editor’s Note: The following article by David Platt on the election originally appeared at imb.org.
David Platt serves as a pastor in metro Washington, D.C. He is the founder of Radical.
David received his Ph.D. from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and is the author of Don’t Hold Back, Radical, Follow Me, Counter Culture, Something Needs to Change, Before You Vote, as well as the multiple volumes of the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary series.
Along with his wife and children, he lives in the Washington, D.C. metro area.
