Biblical Principles In Responding To Donald Trump's Victory

DONALD J. TRUMP has officially won the 2024 ELECTION in AMERICA with a landslide victory (he won both the "popular vote" and the "electoral college"). He defeated Vice President Kamala Harris who received more campaign funds and extraordinary support from the mass media and celebrities. Many political observers and pollsters were shocked by Trump's victory. His victory certainly delighted his supporters. They saw the real intervention of GOD behind his victory. How could it not be? Trump experienced so many intense and vicious attacks from various groups in the form of slander, insults, and lawsuits, and he was even almost killed twice. If it were not for God's intervention, how could he have been strong enough to face all that and finally be re-elected as president?

On the other hand, for Harris' supporters, Trump's victory was certainly very disappointing. Many of them are angry and worried that if Trump is re-elected, he will become a dictator like Hitler or run his government with fascism, as Harris and her team often expressed in their campaigns. That is why many of Harris' supporters (and anti-Trump Christians) dislike or even hate Trump and his supporters.

How should we respond to Trump's victory according to the principles of God's word?

1. First, we should certainly be GRATEFUL because this election went well, and the winner could be known immediately. More than that, we thank God who has appointed Donald Trump and J. D. Vance as president and vice president of the United States for 2025 - 2029. If Harris and Walz win this election, this country will be increasingly dominated by "WOKE culture," which aggressively propagandizes abortion, the LGBTQ movement that ruins the lives of thousands of our children, which allows men to participate in women's sports competitions, which prioritizes illegal immigrants over the safety and welfare of its citizens, and so on. We are truly grateful for the Lord's mercy that He has not allowed this country to be led by people who do not fear God, who openly state in their campaigns that people who shout "JESUS is the KING" are in the wrong campaign place.

2. We must know and remember that the President, the elected members of Congress, and the Senate are only INSTRUMENTS of GOD. The people indeed elect them, but they can be elected because the LORD appoints them. The book of Daniel 2:21 reminds us that God appoints and brings down kings or leaders of the country. We must NOT make them idols that we glorify or are proud of.

To the congregation in Corinth, the Apostle Paul reminded them NOT to idolize certain apostles or evangelists but to EXALT CHRIST because they are all only His servants. Let's read 1 Corinthians 3:4-7 - "For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere human beings? What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.” If we apply it to the current situation, perhaps Paul would ask: “What is Trump? What is Harris?” Whoever will lead this country for the next four years are only SERVANTS of GOD, whom He has appointed. God can use anyone, even unbelievers, to fulfill His will.

3. We must always remember that OUR HOPE IS IN GOD, the Ruler of the universe, not in the President and elected officials. The Word of God says: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord.” (Jeremiah 17:5). It does seem that the new administration team will consist of smart people and experts in their fields, such as the Vice President, J. D. Vance, Elon Musk, Robert F. Kennedy. However, we must NOT hope in humans or depend on them, no matter how great, smart, or good they are. They are all limited humans and will only lead this country for certain terms. They too will grow old and die. That is why the Word of God warns us: “Stop trusting in mere humans, who have but a breath in their nostrils. Why hold them in esteem?” (Isaiah 2:22). National leaders will come and go, but the LORD our GOD is eternal forever!

4. We must always PRAY FOR THOSE IN AUTHORITY. To Timothy, the apostle Paul advised: “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior” (1 Timothy 2:1-3a). God wants us to pray for the leaders of our country so that we can live prosperously in all aspects of life. So, what do we need to pray for our country's current leaders?