The chaos in Washington D.C. this past Wednesday was heartbreaking. The anarchy was reprehensible to all who love America. The mob mentality, the breach of the Capitol Building, the tragic loss of life, and the threat to democracy were terrifying, inexcusable….and embarrassing. Rioters who desecrated the halls of Congress should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law as a clear warning such egregious behavior can never happen again.
Millions of voters are doubly discouraged today – disheartened by both the challenged election results and the outrageous response of the extremists. However, the Bible says God is able to bring beauty from ashes (Isaiah 61:3) so let’s pray something positive will come out of the loathsome lawlessness we’ve just witnessed.
Perhaps God will bring beauty from the ashes. Following the 2020 election, there has been considerable speculation about whether President Trump would vacate the office peacefully or require police to escort him out of the White House. The aftermath of Wednesday’s anarchy has evidently settled that issue. Most who traveled to Washington D.C. to peacefully protest what they believed was voter fraud were shocked at the chaos that broke out, quickly ended their protest, and went home. Several influential politicians who had sided with the President subsequently withdrew support. The president has announced he will now step aside in peace. Let’s pray for a smooth transition, and that eventually, with God’s help, beauty rises from the ashes.
I also pray this tragedy will bring an end to the foolish talk about defunding the police and the lunacy of law enforcement “standing down” in the face of rioting. The Bible teaches the authorities “do not bear the sword in vain.” Anarchy merits swift action and determined force. Sadly, five lives were lost, and several others were injured, but I’ve not heard anyone accuse the capitol police of overreacting or inciting to riot by their very presence. Many are asking why the security’s response wasn’t stronger and more swift. In the face of evil, the thin blue line stands between us and mayhem. The police need the authority to do their job when necessary, and they deserve our nation’s backing and encouragement. That would be beauty from ashes.
Most of all, I pray this will be the beginning of reconciliation among bickering believers. It’s been heart-rending to witness the exchange of vitriol and hatred between followers of Christ on both ends of the political spectrum. High profile Christian leaders for Trump have labeled Christian spokespeople on the opposite side as communists and baby-killers. Those against Trump have countered with accusations that fellow believers are white-supremacists and nationalists. Some are attempting to blame all evangelical Christians for the mob action of a few insurrectionists. That’s absurd. There’s an old saying: “You become what you hate.” Many who hate Donald Trump for being “rude, crude and unattractive” have themselves become rude, crude and unattractive. And it goes both ways.
Jesus said, “By this shall they know that you are my disciples that you love one another.” If you have sharp disagreements with believers who hold to a different political persuasion, then, for heaven’s sake, love them and be kind to them anyway. When you are quick to quarrel and spew hateful exaggerations, you divide the body and give the enemies of Christ an occasion to blaspheme. Jesus prayed, “May they be one, Father, as I am in you so the world may believe that you have sent me.” That’s my prayer also. If Christians could somehow be reunited, that would be beauty from ashes.
Joe Biden is our new President. If you voted Republican, don’t spend the next four years as “the resistance.” We’ve already had enough of that spirit for the past four years. We have a right and a responsibility to stand firm for our convictions, but we don’t have a right to undermine democracy. I will continue to stand firmly for life and religious freedom, but I am determined not to criticize the new administration at every turn. A house divided against itself cannot stand.
We serve a miracle-working God! Therefore it’s time for genuine followers of Christ to be full of grace and truth and trust God to accomplish His will regardless of who our political leaders may be. If Christians would “make every effort to keep the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace,” maybe God will send a revival, and we can once again become “one nation under God.” That would indeed be beauty from ashes.
The Bible says, “Set your affections on the things above and not on earthly things.” The events of this past week should serve to remind us that our ultimate hope is not in a country or politicians but in heaven with Jesus Christ. If we’re now more aware that “the earth and everything in it passes away but whoever does the will of God lives forever,” then that spiritual deepening will bring beauty from ashes.
.
Follow BobRussellKY on Twitter and LIKE the Bob Russell page on Facebook
