What a bright bold opportunity awaits us in this season of significant change for the USA. As dramatic and consequential as the election has been for America, we have so much for which to be grateful.

We know, as followers of Jesus, that the Kingdom we serve is far more powerful than any government or leader or group of leaders. At the same time, the outcome of the presidential election is an answer to the prayers of millions for the USA to be reoriented to its defining purpose. A decisive rejection of “woke” ideologies that have so poisoned the culture in recent years is only one of many reasons to give thanks.

While newly elected leaders prepare to take on huge tasks on multiple issues that require immediate attention, we celebrate the historic breakthroughs represented by the votes of over 74 million citizens.

Prayer, as I Timothy 2:1-2 explains it, “for all who are in authority” is one of the Kingdom citizen tasks we carry in every season. So once again we’re reminded of how powerfully God’s grace empowers us through prayer.

Each prayer for an elected official is also a tacit recognition that he or she is accountable to God, as those “in authority” are actually (whether they realize it or not) under orders from the LORD, to “do justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly before God” (Micah 6:8). We come alongside those who are entrusted with authority to pray that they’ll catch that vision and follow that powerful prescription for integrity.

Keeping our focus on the majesty of God’s Kingdom is not only great comfort when the storm clouds are rising across the land. It’s also crucial when the skies are brighter, the winds favorable and a voice in the cockpit announces “Fasten your seatbelts. Cabin crew: prepare for takeoff”.

A great starting point for the Thanksgiving season we’re now entering is to bring “the high praises of God” into expression in our lives. In the 40th Psalm, King David wrote of how powerfully God uses the principles of praise to shape our understanding of God’s ways. David wrote: “Troubles without number surround me…You are my help and my deliverer…May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in You; may those who long for your saving help always say, ‘The LORD is great!'”  

The troubles that can feel overwhelming are a real part of the experience of a child of God. Honesty about the dangers he faced was one of the reasons David’s psalms had such staying power through centuries of struggle for the people of Israel.

Psalms were far more than simply poems or songs. They were part of a timeless spiritual arsenal where the Holy Spirit placed dynamic resources, ready to be put into action in the toughest of battlefields.  The beauty of all the Psalms is that any person with an open heart can reach into that arsenal to receive God’s love while also being equipped to “fight the good fight of faith”. (I Timothy 6:12)

Another interesting aspect of 40^th chapter as well as the entire book of Psalms is how often we find a personal testimony such as “He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire…” [verse 2] closely aligned with a type of congregational praise, such as “I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, Lord, as you know.” [verse 9]. 

Time and time again, David relates his experiences of being delivered by God from external peril and from his own internal struggles to the larger calling of the redeemed people of God. He’s never shy about expressing near-desperation in prayers like “Be pleased to save me, LORD; come quickly, LORD, to help me!” [verse 13].  Yet, in the same paragraph, David’s passion for the spiritual vitality of fellow worshipers comes bursting through: “I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness from the great assembly.” [verse 10]

At every phase of David’s fascinating life story, his writings reflect an awareness that the grace and mercy he tasted in his walk with God were directly connected to a larger purpose – a Kingdom-of-God sense of urgency that was alive in his soul.

For these times, with so many challenging issues before our churches and in the nation as well, there is no greater source of motivation than this: Praise God first. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Begin each day and each new project or venture in life with a word or a song or even, in a journal, writing that expression of praise for God’s goodness and His guidance in the hours ahead.  It starts in the simplest way possible – admitting how much we need Him. “But as for me, I am poor and needy! You are my help and my deliverer; You are my God; do not delay.” [Psalm 40:17]

It’s like reaching into His arsenal for immediate help. He always provides more than enough!

We love these get-togethers that open doors for sharing the gifts and life-experiences among friends in-partnership with our vision to serve the Lord as a congregation: