Habakkuk’s Election Advise
Elections means somebody loses. A gloomy feeling comes to those whose favorite candidate lost. Habakkuk was a prophet for God
around 612 B.C. He was a contemporary of Jeremiah and Zephaniah. He was troubled with what he saw coming to Judah. Babylon was
becoming the dominant power and Judah would soon feel Babylon’s destructive force. Habakkuk brought his questions and concerns directly
to God. He received answers from God and responded with a prayer of faith. His short letter in the Old Testament shows that God is still in
control of the world despite the apparent triumph of evil.
If you are depressed and disappointed with the election, maybe the words of Habakkuk are appropriate.
“I heard and my heart pounded, my lips quivered at the sound;
decay crept into my bones, and my legs trembled.
Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity to come on the nation invading us.
Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will rejoice in God my Savior.
The Sovereign Lord is my strength, he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to go on the heights.
Habakkuk 3:16-19. NIV
How about a little paraphrasing around the election?
Although my preferred candidate did not win, and the winner does not embrace the sanctity of human life,
supports abortion rights, and equal rights and benefits for same sex marriages,
although my taxes may increase, and I may be fined for helping an illegal immigrant, and he
appoints very liberal judges to the court, yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength,
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go to the heights.
And do not forget that the Sovereign Lord has promised that Jesus, the King of kings and Lord of Lords will come again,
“and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation”. Heb. 9:28
Until then, let us be His faithful ambassadors.
Simon Schrock
(Adapted from Simon Schrock, Choice Books President)
