It's a new dawn. It's a new day. And as the sun rises in the sky this morning, we have a new president-elect.
I stayed up late last night to see that fact announced. I watched as John McCain gave a gracious concession speech. His praiseworthy character was on full display. May we all be moved to imitate his passion for serving others with such humility.
Then I watched the historic moment when an African-American man stood up to speak as the president of the United States. Regardless of my differences of opinion with him on some issues, it was a very stirring moment. As I studied the brown and white faces gathered together hugging and cheering in Chicago, I had hope that this election would bring a measure of healing to race relations in this country.
I listened to Obama's speech next. Like McCain's, Obama's words included humility, hope, and a desire to move forward united. And like McCain, he concluded by invoking God's blessing on our nation. If you missed his speech, I encourage you to watch it online. Personally, I thought it was a positive start to what I pray will be effective leadership.
I expect that Obama's elation this morning at a large goal accomplished - a presidential election won - is bitter-sweetly mixed with a heavy feeling of responsibility. He has a huge task in front of him.
For Obama, much work lies ahead. I pray he is given the strength to do it.
He inherits many problems. I pray he is given the wisdom and creativity to solve them.
He will have many tough decisions to make. I pray he is given discretion and discernment to make them.
He will have political opposition to reach out to and work with in Washington, I pray he is given the grace and gumption to do that.
And I pray all the same things for us - the citizens of the US. For Obama's responsibilities and challenges are our own. I don't want to sit idly by, complaining, lamenting or criticizing when I could be encouraging, praying and serving. I want to be the light the world is straining to see by. I want to supply the hope our world craves. I want to model the values I desire in my neighbors and my leaders. So may God also grant us wisdom, creativity, discretion, discernment, grace and the gumption to face each day and each obstacle ahead with hope from on High.
This morning I am reading Psalm 21. Verse one begins:
"The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the Lord; he guides it wherever he pleases."
May it be so with the heart of our new president, and every leader that serves us. Some of you, my sisters-in-Christ, are fearful today of what Obama's leadership might bring. I understand that. But I hope that you will remember that the king's heart is not out of God's reach. Nor are God's ears deaf to our prayers.
You can click on the link to Psalm 21 above if you want to keep reading the full psalm.
Oh, one last thing, my Starbucks gave away a free coffee yesterday to anyone who voted. Did yours? I love this country!
Rachel,
ReplyDeleteGood Morning, Yes it's a new day!!
Are we ready for such change thats the question. I will admit I was not looking forward to the way it ended, and I did see McCain's speech and he was very humbled!
Lets see what happens, amen!
All we can do is PRAY that he will make the right decisions.
May God Bless America!
Huggsss
Sharon
Thanks for this, Rachel.
ReplyDeleteKathy Lay
I too prayed as soon as I heard, and will continue to. We have favor as his children and we need to continually hold our leaders and nations up as we should ourselves. Very nicely put Rachel, Thank you and AMEN
ReplyDeleteRachel,
ReplyDeleteI watched till the end last night. As I sat there my thoughts went to King Saul.
Isreal had been governed by "Judges" but the judge system had lost pubblic support and the population demanded that the last judge, the prophet Samuel, reform the political system and name a king to succeed him, in spite of the LORD's warning that this would be a disaster. Samuel names Saul. Saul igored his kingly duties of national security, moral leadship, and obedience to the LORD.
God the people who they wanted inspite of His warnings.
May God Bless the America.
Hi Rachel:
ReplyDeleteI still believe that this election was about choose this day whom you will serve...and our nation chose not to serve God...Throughout this election I have been on some boards and those who have opposed McCain/Palin on these boards said such vile and vulgar things about Sarah and Her family-one of the comments was that abortion is awesome...they said hateful things about our Lord and Savior...
I also believe that God was calling His people to repent, seek him and pray...I know that many did and continue to do so...This election was about either choosing God or rejecting Him and as a nation we rejected God. I will continue to join others in prayer for our nation. For we are not without hope. I am reminded of how many times did moses have to go before Pharoh until they received they deliverance from God. It is God and God alone who can deliver us. I will pray for leaders who will hear from God and be willing to be used by God to return a people unto Him
Rachel
ReplyDeleteIndeed it's a new day and America wrote history again...!
To see it happen that an African -American man to speak as the president of the United States was really stirring but for me most to see the emotions of brown and white faces. As you said a huge healing to race relations started .And i believe America and outside America needed an inspirational figure a bridge -builder.
This is what we also need to pray for
I always wonder what it is that America is so blessed to have such an impact on the world and that was declining more and more.........
To myself i concluded it is the blessing from above what rest on America bc believe in God and giving honour to Him is woven in politics.
That is how i see it from outside America.
When you surge what the passion and inspiration for Americans is you find their believe in God.
So i will always pray for America that God will lead and inspire the leaders and country in the whole.
Greetings and have a wonderful
blessed day
Rachel,
ReplyDeleteI agree your post was well written.
A friend sent me an email this morning regarding her son-in-law's sermon on Sunday. He said some very enlighting things. One is found in Romans 8:37, “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”
Another thing that he said which caught my eye (a little long but worth reading). {As “more than conquerors” we have a code to keep. We find it in 1 Peter 2:17, “Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.” Peter makes it clear with no loop-holes or contingencies. In effect", the code" provides the essentials to stay consistent in our witness for Christ in any situation: winning or losing, top or bottom, success or failure. When the pressure is on, keep the code. When opposed because of your beliefs, keep the code. When your politics are out of favor, keep the code. In so doing, you have the assurance of agreement with God above all else. Paul puts it this way: “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39). IN SHORT: Agree with God, receive Christ, and be about His business and you are, by definition, “more than a conqueror.”}
As Sharon said we need to pray that our new president will make right decisions.
God Bless America,
AliceE.
Since I couldn't seem to muster up the right words to say about the election, I just chose to send my friends over here to your post.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
Love you friend. It's good connecting again.
Thanks for your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteLovely picture.
I would have got coffee if I drank the stuff!
Good Morning women of God! This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice & be glad in it! Psalm 118:24
ReplyDeleteThis scripture has been singing in my head since the election of our new president. God has answered our prayers. Rejoice! Be not afraid God is in control! Peace & blessings on you all. Mary
Rachel,
ReplyDeleteI loved your thoughts on this. I just read another blog that was an "Obama" gloom and doom and I felt so heavy hearted after reading it. I love your take on this and it should stir in the hearts of everyone to focus on prayer and more prayer for our new leader. Focus on the good and not the bad, after all there's nothing that can be done about it now!
thanks, Rachel, for those words of wisdom! We pray every morning at work, and I asked that we pray for the new president elect Obama. A coworker of mine, who is an Obama supporter, said that we didn't need to pray for him, he didn't need our prayers. It struck a strong cord in me - let us pray also, for those who believe they can stand on their own two feet, without the Lord's help. Pray they see God's amazing power working in this world!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post.
ReplyDeleteMay our President-Elect have reverence for our Mighty God and come to love and obey His Word.
2 Chronicles 7:14 - May we HIS PEOPLE heed His call and commandment in this verse.
thanks for your words many needed them. I pray all will keep our new president uplifted and remember God is always in control.
ReplyDeleteBe bless
You asked for my comment so I will give it to you. Over the last 20 years I have watched our country struggle to survive under a growing ever amounting group of people that just want to turn their heads and shut off their minds to the fact that we are in deep decay because of sin. Watching this election as each canidate told America what they believed and who they believed in and then watching everyone vote for the canidate that believed in everything that anyone calling him/herself a christian should not get elected, what a loud shout to God leave me alone I can do what ever I please to do. Let us continue to pray and let us see what God has in store for us and not what we think He should do for us. Repent is a good word to start out with.
ReplyDeleteLet us please be honest in thought and in words. Someone who really cares.
It was so sad to see some of the these posts "caked" over and underlined with such anger and bitterness. I applaud those that were real and true. It also saddens me that morals and praying GOD is in control is of such importance now that a bi-racial, African American and Caucasian, President (people often forget that he has a white mother as well as a black father) has been elected. No matter who won the election presently or in the past, GOD being first in our lives and of this country should have been our prayer always. Let us as children of GOD search ourselves. Search deep within in our hearts and cry out for deliverance from our "own" sins that we may not even see because of the cloudiness of judgement, prejudice, and self righteousness. Take a good look back in the past. Not much more to say.....I am so glad that GOD looks not on the outer appearance, but at our hearts. May we eventually do the same.
ReplyDelete