Late in the evening of November 5, it became increasingly clear that Donald J. Trump, the forty-fifth president of the United States, would also become its forty-seventh. Pollsters had predicted a neck-and-neck race, but the outcome was far from close.
At 2:30 the next morning, Trump declared victory from his Mar-a-Lago estate, remarking that his triumph was “the greatest political movement of all time.” He secured 312 electoral votes and was the first Republican candidate to win the popular vote in 20 years. Additionally, he is the first president since Grover Cleveland, in 1892, to win two non-consecutive terms.
Not only did Trump take the presidency, but the Republican party now has majority control of the House, Senate, and Supreme Court—known as a federal trifecta.
Mixed Reviews
Many Americans are excited about a second Trump presidency and what it will bring to the nation. However, other citizens have a decidedly different view—they are concerned that Trump’s administration might be a threat to democracy.
The good news is that, despite what some feared, widespread outbreaks of violence have not followed the election—all the same, it has revealed deep divides within the American psyche. We seem to be a people deeply divided by our values, goals, prejudices, fears, and ambitions.
As Bible-believing Christians who aim to live by the truth Scripture reveals and look forward to the soon return of Christ, how should we respond to a new president and the political division around us?
Should We Fear?
First and foremost, we need not fear what the future may hold.
The prophet Daniel lived under regimes that clearly did not uphold biblical values. Yet he praised God, proclaiming, “He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with Him” (Daniel 2:21, 22).
If Daniel could celebrate God’s goodness even as an exile in a foreign land, surely we, too, can trust our Father to care for us and guide political affairs as He sees best. “The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes” (Proverbs 21:1).
Should We Celebrate?
Trump’s win is not a cause for prideful demonstrations or celebrations any more than a loss would have been. Why? Because a politician can never be a savior in this world of trouble. Politicians are, at most, fallen individuals who may be used by the Almighty for the accomplishment of heaven’s purposes.
What we should celebrate is that, for the time being, Christians still have the freedom to proclaim and practice their convictions. Not every country has that freedom.
What about praying for our leaders? Yes. Keep in mind, even King Nebuchadnezzar was a soul for whom Jesus died—and he ultimately came around. “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence” (1 Timothy 2:1, 2).
As the old song says, “This world is not my home, I’m just a’passing through.” Let’s celebrate the things that truly matter—truth proclaimed, lives transformed, and divisions healed!
Look Forward!
In the build-up to a big boxing match, the contenders and their supporters usually grandstand and “trash talk.” It’s part of the ugly marketing strategy leading up to the main event. But often, at the conclusion of a brutal boxing match, 9 times out of 10, the bruised and bloodied fighters meet at the middle of the ring and embrace.
Indeed, President-elect Trump has since met with President Biden at the White House and reports say that the two talked cordially during their two-hour meeting, where they discussed their common interests regarding the security of America and international affairs.
From all appearances, it seems like there will be a peaceful transition of power. That’s probably a good lesson for all Americans to embrace and to now make the best of where we are.
Let’s have a ceasefire—at least until the next election—and put the political divisions behind us. “But one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13, 14).
Look Up!
When Jesus stood before Pontius Pilate in the final hours of His life, He explained something to the Roman governor that should always guide our politics: “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here” (John 18:36).
Every born-again Christian is a citizen of the heavenly kingdom. Our allegiance is not to earthly rulers or political parties. Our political ties must never supersede our loyalty to Christ or our spiritual bonds with our brothers and sisters in Christ.
The apostle Paul urged the Corinthian believers to allow “no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10). He was not asking them all to think exactly the same way. Instead, Paul was urging them to lay differences aside and focus on the things that really matter: the transformation of life through Christ and sharing Him with others.
Jesus’ words to the disciples are especially applicable to us today: “When you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. … But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:31, 34–36).
Let’s not let politics divide us. Instead, let’s refocus our attention on the things that matter for eternity. Let’s look up to our Savior and make sure that He alone is Lord of our lives. Let’s set aside time to meditate on God’s Word and pray for the lost. Let’s gather with our Christian brethren to worship God and work for the salvation of others. Let’s invest our time and resources in spreading the three angels’ messages. These are the things that truly matter—and that will bring healing to our nation and, even more important, to our churches.