At peace...or in pieces?

When Moses instructed God's servants to pray for the nation, he gave them this prayer: "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you...and give you PEACE." (Num 6:24-26)

In my prayer journal I have a different name for God on the calendar each week. The name this week just happens to be "Jehovah-Shalom," the Lord is our PEACE. In the New Testament Jesus spoke "PEACE" to His disciples again and again, and one of His kingly titles is Prince of PEACE. The word 'PEACE,' in fact, appears 420 times in the Bible.

So there is the blessing of peace on a nation. God Himself is our peace. Jesus speaks peace to us, and He is called Prince of Peace. God's Word is full of promises of peace. And yet...

As a pivotal election takes place, rather than finding us at peace, it appears that Americans are in pieces. From all indications this election, particularly the Presidential vote, is touted as being one of the most divided, debated, and de-bunked elections in our history. The political, social, racial, financial, denominational, sexual, and personal divides are more volatile than ever, certainly more than I can remember in my lifetime.

So...what happens on Wednesday, NOVEMBER FOURTH? Whether the Presidency will be decided, I cannot predict. With all of the factors of mail-in ballots, Covid-19 irregularities, absentee voting and claims of illegal procedures, I'm fairly certain this election will be a wild one. I expect even more confusion than the hanging chads, trashed ballots, alleged improprieties and lawsuits of recent years. If a winner is actually declared, there will likely be "doubting, shouting, and pouting" (and worse) by many on the losing side who protest the outcome.

What can we do to avoid this? How could America be at peace on Nov. 4 rather than be in pieces?

The answer lies in a familiar promise from the prophet Isaiah: "(Lord), You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You." (Isa 26:3) Change 'him' to 'them' and 'he' to 'they,' and you have the national solution! Yes, God will keep us (U.S.) in perfect peace if our minds are stayed on Him, because we trust in Him; as our national motto says, "IN GOD WE TRUST!" True and lasting peace does not come by trusting in presidents or political parties or personalities but in the power of the Lord God Almighty!

Recently I preached a message on the sin of "side-olatry," based on Paul's letter to the church in Corinth, where the members had chosen "sides." The Apostle wrote these powerful words to that divided congregation: "Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment." (1 Cor 1:10)

Of course that was directed to the church rather than the nation. But here's a thought: if the church confesses, repents and forsakes the sin of "side-olatry," it could begin a "peace movement" that unites this nation! The church is entrusted with the Gospel--receiving Christ crucified, raised from the dead, ascended to heaven, and coming again as the one and only way to real peace. We must proclaim (and demonstrate) this Gospel, whatever it costs us, and whoever our president and other officials happen to be!

On November 4, 2020, and the days that follow, will our country be at peace, or in pieces? Church, IT'S UP TO US!