EP 31: The Presidential Election & the Sovereignty of God
If the sovereignty of God is not a truth that brings great comfort to your soul in all things, including the presidential election, Elle is here to remind of why it should.
Hey, Sister! Welcome to the kickoff of season 3 of the Daughter of Delight podcast.In today’s episode, we are going to talk about the importance of viewing the election through the lens of God’s sovereign and holy name. I have seen many things that concern me and am convinced that a reminder of Who is in control and where our hope and identity truly lie would serve us all well during this time. I will also share several ways to live in peace in the midst of this lost, broken and dark, dark world. Before we dive into all of that, though, let’s first talk about what I’ve been up to the last few weeks and I want to share a few announcements with you as well!
Family Trip
First off, I took a three-week break from the podcast after we wrapped up season 2 and it was really, really good for me, but I definitely missed you. While I was away, my husband, Michael, and our 16-year-old foster son, Mac, went on a long weekend getaway to a beautiful spot tucked away in the breathtaking fall foliage of Kentucky, and it was an absolute blast. My favorite thing that we did was zip line. This was my second-time zip lining and I couldn't get enough. If you haven’t been zip lining, I totally recommend it- especially in the fall when you are, quite literally, surrounded by the colors of the wind. It’s a super fun way to recognize and appreciate God’s creation. That being said, I’m really excited to be back for season 3 and can’t wait to see what all God has in store for us during our time together!
Special Announcement #1
During my break, I also got started on a very special project that I seriously cannot wait to share with you! If you want first dibs on what this announcement is, be sure to sign up for my emails. I’ll be sending some hints out super soon. You can find the link to get my emails in today’s show notes.
Special Announcement #2
To help hold you over in the meantime, I do have another special announcement that I’m excited to share with you right now. Last month, the Lord laid it on my heart that it was time to seek out some extra helping hands because if I didn’t, all the hats I wear would wear me out. Stepping into the role of being a foster momma has added extra responsibilities to my plate, and that is in no way shape or form a bad thing! I just want to make sure I am fully present in everything I do, especially when it comes to my family. So, I decided to pray for and seek out a special person to help me run the private Facebook group. I am really thankful that the Lord answered this prayer sooner rather than later, and so very excited to announce that one of my current Daily Delight writers, Kristina Willis, is Daughter of Delight’s new Facebook Community Engagement Specialist. Sis, we have so many exciting things planned for this group and I would love for you to get in on all the fun. I originally created the Facebook group because I really wanted to have a more intimate space for us to connect and engage with one another outside of Instagram. I haven’t been able to do everything I would like to do because of all the hats I wear, but now that I have Kristina we are really about to get this party started! If you would like to be a part of the Facebook group to meet new sisters who might live near you and to just have another community to help encourage and challenge you in your walk with the Lord and your understanding of His Word, we would be delighted to have you! I’ll share the link in today’s show notes as well!
Thanks & Giving Journal
Finally, if you missed my announcement of the Thanks & Giving Journal I recently created, I want to share about it here with ya so that you don’t miss it! If you have a desire to be more intentional in not just cultivating a heart of gratitude but also maintaining a heart of gratitude, you are invited to participate in the Thanks & Giving journaling experience. This special 30-day journal was designed to challenge and equip you in ways that help you better fulfill the call to be thankful in all things. And did I mention it’s FREE? Click here to check it out.Okay, I think that covers all of my announcements for today, so the last thing to do before we hop to it is for me to share the review of the week with you!
Review of the Week
It comes from our sister NaeHughes, who says,“Elle has a love for Christ that is so evident and a passion that you can feel throughout this podcast! I was hooked after only one episode. Her voice is sweet and her words are even sweeter. Elle speaks in a personal way, like a true Sister in Christ, that makes you feel like she is sitting right next to you. This podcast encourages my walk with God and inspires me to continue walking in my God-given dream. Elle, you have a gift. You’re a blessing to many, Sis!! Thanks for all your hard work and dedication. It’s paying off.” Okay, I’m going to be honest. As I was reading this review, the Lord confirmed my very prayer for this podcast. Which is, to show up in such a way that leaves you feeling encouraged and convicted. My desire is to teach the truths of God’s Word through this podcast in the same way I would teach if we were in person. I want you to feel like I’m sitting right next to you. NaeHughes, thank you for entrusting me with the opportunity to help encourage you in your pursuit of God. It’s not one I take lightly and I pray it never is. I continue to stand in awe of how the Lord has and continues to use this podcast for His sake. I’m so thankful to have your company each week and especially grateful that you would take the time to pour into me with this encouraging review. Thank you so much!
The Presidential Election & the Sovereignty of God
Alright, now it’s time to get into a little chit chat on the election and how to view it through the lens of God’s sovereignty. When I say sovereignty, I mean that God is the supreme authority and all things are under His control, always.
The Saying, "God is In Control," is & Always will be true
The first thing I want to talk about is, that if reading posts about God being in control makes you uncomfortable, it’s time for a heart check. And I say this with so much love in my heart, because I used to be in this same place. I used to scroll right past posts that proclaimed this truth because I didn’t truly believe it; because my hope was in what I could do to change my circumstances, not in the truth that God is sovereign and present in every facet of my life, and in everything that takes place in this world- past, present, and future. The truth that God is fully sovereign is a truth that should bring great delight and comfort to our weary souls; a truth that should serve as a balm to our anxious hearts. The sovereignty of God is not a cheesy cliche! It will NEVER be a cheesy cliche. Nothing, absolutely nothing, is outside of His will and nothing, absolutely nothing, can thwart it. Not even politics.
Nothing is Outside the WIll of God
Now, I’m not here to tell you who I voted for and why I voted for them. But I am here to say that I voted with my hope in the truth that Christ Jesus is, and always will be, King. I voted, knowing that not one thing is outside of the will of God, not even the president of the United States. And I hope you voted with the same confidence, too. Job 42:2 tells us, “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted” (ESV).This verse alone declares that God has every right to do what He wants to do, and He surely will. Regardless of whether we like it or not, regardless of whether or not it makes sense to us, His will will always take place. God never promised that we would understand everything, but He also has not hidden what He wants us to know, which can be found in His holy, infallible Word!
God Will do What Needs to Be Done for His Glory
That being said, it’s also important to note that God will do what needs to be done in order to see His purpose through. This is what I refer to as God’s providence. That is, God’s seeing to everything related to His will and glory. Take a look at Isaiah 46:10 with me:“declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose…” (ESV).
Do You Believe the Truth of Romans 8:28?
As we recognize the truths surrounding the sovereignty and providence of our great God, I also want to recall the truth of Romans 8:28 (ESV):“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Everything that God does is for His glory and our good. This means that, even when everything around us seems as if it’s crashing down, God is the very Rock, the only Rock, we can and should stand on. Our hope in what’s been done for us by Him is the only thing that we can be sure of in this life. And that is the fact of the matter.
Jesus is Alive!
Regardless of who wins the election, our peace, joy and hope will remain as long as we have placed it in the hands of the only One who deserves it. Sister, Jesus is alive! He has come and will come again! Revelation 1:7 tells us, “Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen” (ESV).My question for you is do you truly believe this? Do you believe that God is in and over all things, and that everything He does is for the good of His people and the glory of His name- even if it doesn’t always feel that way?I know that sometimes I don’t believe this, because it’s just easier not to. Oftentimes, it’s easier to give in to my emotions and let them determine the ways in which I perceive a situation or a season of my life. It’s a fight that I am often faced with, and if I’m not proactive in soaking and walking in the truth of my God, it’s a battle I’m sure to lose.Sis, when we walk in truth, the peace, joy, freedom, confidence, and hope that we were created to experience in Christ Jesus flows in and through us.
How to Walk in Confidence of God's Sovereignty
If you are struggling to show up in God’s Word right now or if you are struggling to claim the peace that is yours in Christ, no matter what this life throws our way, I want to share some very helpful things to help you walk in the confidence as His Daughter of Delight.
Watch What You Eat
What I mean by that is, feed your heart, not your flesh. Cut back on your content intake and focus more on your Scripture intake. Set boundaries for how much time you spend on social media, listening to worldly podcasts, watching the news, or listening to the radio each day.If you struggle to rely on the voice of the world more than the voice of our great God, cutting down or these things or getting rid of them completely for a while will help you get out of that vicious cycle and focus your heart on the One who breathes life into your being. Hebrews 4:12 tells us, "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (ESV).Take care of your soul and feed it with the infallible truth of God’s holy Word.If you struggle to show up in the Word of God and want to be better about it, check out episode 4 of the podcast- Why We Lack Motivation to Read the Word and What to Do About It. If you struggle with knowing how to read, study and apply Scripture to all of life, check out my FREE 5-day series called Rooted. I created this resource to help teach you how to plant roots that last; to help you cultivate a genuine love, confidence and anticipation for Scripture. Click here to check it out!
Put on the Whole Armor of God
Ephesians 6:10-20 tells to, “10 ...be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak” (ESV).
Remember that, in Christ, you have access to His peace at all times
In John 14:27, Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (ESV). Sis, take a deep breath and speak the words of Psalm 27 aloud: “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” God has not only gone before you but He is with you always! As it delights Him to be the stronghold of your life, may it be a truth you take great delight and comfort in, too. If you struggle with fear and anxiety, know you’re not alone. Anxiety has been a thorn in my side for as long as I can remember, but the truths of God’s Word have been an incredible aid in my fight against it. If you’d like to be encouraged in your fight against fear and anxiety, check out episode 03 of the podcast, Gospel Truths For Fear and Anxiety.
How to Pray For Our Nation's Leaders
Now that I’ve shared a few tips with you, I want to wrap up today’s episode with some very powerful ways you can be in prayer for our nation’s leaders. I truly believe prayer is one of the greatest gifts and most important things we can be active participants in, so please join me in praying for the following:
Pray that God would do only what He can do. That is, soften the hearts and open the eyes and ears of our leaders.
1 Timothy 2:2-4 tells us, “...for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
Pray that our leaders would be hearers and doers of the Word.
As James says in James 1:22, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (ESV).
Pray that our leaders would act as servants, not as lords.
Jesus tells us in John 12:26, “If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him” (ESV).
Pray that our leaders would commit to working together.
Paul serves up a powerful reminder in 1 Corinthians 12:27 with these words: “Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it” (ESV).
Pray that our leaders would be quick to listen & slow to speak. (James 1:19-21)
In James 1:19-21, James says, “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls” (ESV).
Last but not least, pray for the salvation of the world!
Romans 10:9 tells us, “because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (ESV).⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
And Don't Forget...
God is On the Throne
Let us rejoice in the truth of Psalm 47:8, which says, “God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne” (ESV).
He Will Not Be Shaken
Let us delight in the words of Isaiah 45:7-9:I form light and create darkness; I make well-being and create calamity; I am the Lord, who does all these things. “Shower, O heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain down righteousness; let the earth open, that salvation and righteousness may bear fruit; let the earth cause them both to sprout; I the Lord have created it. “Woe to him who strives with him who formed him, a pot among earthen pots! Does the clay say to him who forms it, ‘What are you making?’ or ‘Your work has no handles’?
We Know Who Holds the victory
Let us celebrate the truth of 1 Peter 3:18 and 1 Corinthians 15:55-57. 1 Peter 3:18 says, “For Christ also suffered[a] once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit” (ESV).And 1 Corinthians 15:55-57 declares, “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (ESV).
Finally, dear Sister, take great comfort in the truth that we are never out of His sight
As Matthew 10:29-31 says, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?[a] And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows” (ESV).Come quickly, King Jesus. Come quickly. And as we await your return, may we be led in this life by the hope we have in You. Amen.
Thank You!
Thank you so much for tuning in to today’s episode on how we can confidently view the election and ALL things in this life through the lens of God’s sovereignty. I pray that the Lord used it to encourage you and remind you of the hope we have in Him.Choose the peace that is yours in Christ, dear Sister, and walk in the assured hope and confidence we have because of what’s been done for us by Him until His return.
Rate & Review
If you enjoyed today’s episode, please be sure to rate and review the podcast! It’s an easy and FREE way to support the podcast and help spread the word about it, and I would appreciate it more than you know.I can’t wait to back with you next week, sister! Talk with you soon!