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?
a. We need to pray for President Biden and his Administration who will still lead the government until January 2025. May GOD give them wisdom and a heart that fears Him so that they will do what is right for the people and country as GOD wills.
b. We need to pray for the safety of Trump, Vance, Musk, and their families from people and foreign governments who want to harm them.
c. We also need to pray that Trump, who often claims to be a CHRISTIAN, can truly show himself as a God-fearing President. I know quite a few Evangelical/conservative Christians (even the Elders and Pastors) who DID NOT WANT to vote for him because they think Trump's CHARACTER is not good or does not reflect a follower of Christ. Indeed, the liberal mass media and Harris's party have SUCCESSFULLY 'portrayed' Trump as an arrogant, narcissistic, dictator-fascist like Hitler, wanting to control "women's bodies," threatening Democracy, and so on. This picture is certainly NOT entirely true. Unfortunately, many people had been influenced by the lies and slander that were being propagandized by them, and they did not want to try to find the real truth.
Numbers of people who know him closely say that Trump has a soul that likes to help the needy and care for the weak. He does not like corrupt officials or those who do not do their jobs properly and correctly.
Trump’s willingness to become president is not to enrich himself or for his interests but because of his love for America. With his abundant wealth, he could enjoy his old age with his children and grandchildren, relaxing in his luxury resorts and hotels in various places. He also can avoid insults, threats of imprisonment, and even death threats from people who do not like him. However, Trump is willing to sacrifice to become president to "Make America Great Again" like his slogan: "MAGA."
Many people do not like Trump's rude (outspoken) or less "presidential" way of SPEAKING. His background as a businessman may have influenced this, where he usually speaks AS IS; he is not good at stringing together beautiful words (small talk) and does not easily make promises like most politicians. Sometimes he has trouble controlling his tongue, especially towards people who criticize him so several times he insults/demeans them (his political opponents). As a result, many are hurt by him (including several figures from his own party).
Maybe Trump still holds the principle of 'An eye for an eye. A tooth for a tooth!' But his experience of escaping 'death' seems to bring a more earnest spiritual awareness and bring him closer to GOD. Several times he stated that he was able to escape death because of God's protection. For that, he expressed his gratitude many times to GOD in public. Let us pray, that Trump may truly experience a NEW BIRTH (to be a born again Christian). And may the Holy Spirit continue to renew him so that he can be a wise, just, righteous, God-fearing president, and may return America to the right direction/path through his policies.
We also need to pray for the SECURITY of the nation after Trump's victory so that the losing parties do not cause chaos with destructive demonstrations and acts of violence as have begun to occur in several locations.
In addition, we ask the LORD that the American nation may be re-UNITED, especially among the people of God, the CHRISTIANS. Presidential elections often bring DIVISIONS in many countries. Friendships are broken; some people unfriend their friends on Facebook, and family members stop talking to each other because they support different candidates. Unfortunately, it also happens in the church and has created tension among God's people. What a shame indeed!
As Christians, we must all know and remember that our ENEMIES are not those who disagree with us or those who support a different candidate than us. The Apostle Paul reminds us in Ephesians 6:12, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” The Lord Jesus also reminds us in John 10:10 of how evil the enemy is that he tries to destroy our lives – “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” So, let us not let our real enemy, the devil, and his dark angels, destroy our friendship and fellowship. You won't be like those unbelievers who hate and get angry at people who disagree with them as we see in the mass media. The Apostle Paul warns in 1 Corinthians 3:3 that if God's children still fight with each other, then they are childish or worldly Christians! So, don't see Trump or Harris and their supporters as your enemies!
Therefore, after this election is over, may Christians in America unite again and show the LOVE of CHRIST to one another so that it can be a beautiful TESTIMONY to the world. May the Name of the LORD JESUS alone be exalted. Amen! May the LORD JESUS BLESS THE USA!
