The Election is Over. Now What?
This was a post dated last May 10, 2016. By this time, we already elected our officials. Nonetheless, I think Pastor Joshua Galaraga gives us truth and a great perspective on how to respond to our new set of officials--
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The Philippine Elections 2016 finally came to a close at 6pm yesterday, May 9. The country is now eagerly awaiting for our new President, Vice President and other national and local officials who will lead us for the next six years.
Except for the tons of campaign garbage that need to be disposed and the official proclamation of the winners, everything will be back to normal.
Following the end of the election season, may I propose the following response:
PRAY FOR OUR NATION. In a few weeks, we'll get to know more about the victors -who they are and what they represent. We have done our part by voting. Let our Commission of Elections (COMELEC) do their job and do it well. Let's continue to pray for a clean and honest counting. Let's not underestimate the power of prayer, especially in this time of waiting. What we can't do because of limitations, our prayers can. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective not because of the one praying, but the One answering.
REPENT & RECONCILE. (If you didn't bash any candidate or incumbent government officials please skip this part.)
We talked about David's leadership in church a few weeks ago and one of his outstanding qualities we learned was that he never bashed King Saul even if he had the opportunities and just cause to do it.
If David had a social media account, I doubt he'll post anything that would put his king in a bad light. In fact, he faithfully served the king and waited patiently for his turn to rule. Humanly speaking, he had every reason to bash the king. But he didn't lift even a finger on his king. David knew that amidst Saul's glaring character flaws, he was still the Lord's anointed. He knew that God sovereignly placed Saul in the throne at that particular period in Israel's history. So he understood that to go against the king is to go against the sovereignty of the One who installed him.
So if we bashed any candidate, now is the best time to repent. And if our bashing caused a dent to one of our relationships, it's time to say sorry and reconcile.
SUBMIT TO AUTHORITY. Let's make a commitment today that whoever our new leaders are, whether we voted for them or not, we will submit, pray and honor them. I would rather submit to the authority and let them be accountable to God than go against them and be accountable to the One who placed them there.
If we are wrong, God disciplines us. If we are wronged, He vindicates us. Avoid conversations about God's permissive or perfect will. We can't say that God did not author this but allowed this to happen. None of us is in a position to categorize Gods will nor speak on God's behalf concerning the election results. Our job is to trust God's sovereign work as we submit to those He has chosen to lead.
MAKE DISCIPLES. Let us accept this important truth: genuine change is not fully dependent on our new President, no matter how excellent and competent he may be. So our mandate is unchanged-to honor God and make disciples.
Real change will come when the Philippines is discipled, when our nation comes under the lordship of Jesus Christ. That means if we want genuine change in our lifetime, it's going to take you and me-the church-to do our job and change this nation one person at a time. Your future depends on God. Your family's future depends on God through you. Our nation's future depends on God through us.
Remember, God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne. Psalm 47:8. God reigns over the Philippines. He is seated on His throne, not worrying about the country but watching for His purpose to be done. He is in perfect control and He will always get the glory.
For more of Pastor Joshua Galaraga's blogs, you can visit his website.
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