23 comments

Paula Hendricks

A Good Dose of Post-Election Hope

Posted on 11.08.12 by Paula Hendricks | Twitter: @PaulaWrites678
Topics: Impacting your world

Just a simple but hopefully encouraging post today. Three things:

1) If you want to be reminded that God is at work all over the world, watch this short clip. In it, True Woman ’12 emcee Bob Lepine introduces a stirring video that starts 1:18 minutes in. That’s where it gets really exciting.

2) Oh, and if you’re feeling heavy today, why not re-read Bob Lepine’s post from last week? A Helpful, Hopeful Election Perspective is just as helpful and hopeful post-election as it was pre-election.

3) Mostly, I’d love to hear if there’s a particular verse or truth you’re meditating on after the election. Me, I’m encouraged by the reality of Psalm 103:19:

The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.

Oh, and Isaiah 9:6:

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

And then a friend reminded me of Nehemiah 4:14:

Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.

Fight? Yep, on our knees.

In the coming days, may we enter the King’s throne room with even greater fervency, persistence, and faith as we intercede on behalf of our families, our churches, our nations, and the world.
 
So how about it? Would you share a verse below that you’re calling to mind? Let’s give our sisters a good dose of hope today straight from God’s Word.

Comments

  1. After the election I was dissapointed. Not everyone shares my feelings.
    I heard a song on the radio by Passion. The song is White Flag. It was so true as I was listening to it on the way to work. Almost weeping as I sung with the artist. I surrender to you Lord. You are King, and I don't answer to the government I answer to the Cross. Today I feel stronger and even more determined to be on my knees and Pray for our country. Listen to the song, and let us rejoice!!!
    True Woman
    posted by Kim Trollinger
    on Thursday, November 8, 2012 at 8:56 am
  2. God just encouraged my heart moments ago in my devotions with Isaiah 41:10 "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." God reigns supreme! God bless you all!
    posted by Bev C
    on Thursday, November 8, 2012 at 8:57 am
  3. My morning reading after election eve.
    Psa, 124 Our help is in the name of the Lord
    Psa. 125 the Lord surrounds His people
    Psa. 126 The Lord has done great things for us
    Psa. 127 He gives His beloved sleep
    Psa. 128 Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord
    Psa. 129 The Lord is righteous
    Psa. 130 With the Lord there is forgiveness...steadfast
    love....plentiful redemption
    Oh What a Savior.
    posted by Jeannie
    on Thursday, November 8, 2012 at 9:03 am
  4. Psalm 2 Why do the nations rage and the people plot IN VAIN against The Lord and His Anointed..?
    All those who oppose Christ and His rule are doing so in vain!
    None of us will see the fullness of His kingdom in our lifetime here and now, but King Jesus has been inaugurated and He will not abdicate His throne. Practically speaking, we obey His laws and continue to be salt and light to this generation and before the world who desperately needs the truth. Read your Bibles and be encouraged, for we who belong to Him are on the side already determined by God to win. The just shall live by faith.Now is the most important time for the testing and approving of our faith.
    posted by Starr B
    on Thursday, November 8, 2012 at 9:10 am
  5. Why were you all disappointed after the election? Were you all disappointed after Bush won re-election? Especially after all the blood on his hand with bombing a question under a lie.
    posted by curious
    on Thursday, November 8, 2012 at 9:24 am
  6. Through the night of election returns and with the news the Lord opened my heart to repeat I trust You and in the morning again to Isaiah 26: 1-3
    "Open the gates that the righteous nation may enter, the nation that keeps faith." A spiritual awakening as we continue to cry out to our Lord. Let it start in my heart and continue all around the world!
    posted by Marilyn
    on Thursday, November 8, 2012 at 9:26 am
  7. Hi Paula,
    I just shared something on the ROH Nov. 5 comment blog along these lines, before I read this post, and before I had read Bob Lepine's excellent post. The same Holy Spirit put similar things into my heart as well. I will copy and paste it here too. Love to you and all at ROH/TW:

    Dear ones at ROH and dear friends in Christ,
    I just wanted to confirm what Joyce said below. My daily Bible reading on Nov. 7th included Pr. 21, from which she quoted:
    The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord;
    he turns it wherever he will. (Pr. 21:1)
    I was comforted reading that verse, as well as all of Pr. 21, that morning. The last verse assures us that our safety is from the Lord. Verse 21 promises blessings to the righteous. Our God is righteous and true, and He knows what He is doing, and is working out His good plans for His people, as well as for the world He has created. Though tough times may be at hand, He will never leave us nor forsake us (Heb. 13:5). He is faithful! He is good! He is God!
    In His love,
    Leslie S.
    posted by Leslie S.
    on Thursday, November 8, 2012 at 9:29 am
  8. Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.

    Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.

    Psalm 37:7-9

    Usually I would be upset when elections do not go the way I think they should - but I felt a peace - I feel a peace - that I know only comes from God.

    Because He said that He is in control! He is still King over the Universe! Let us not fret and let us not forget!
    posted by Lea
    on Thursday, November 8, 2012 at 9:30 am
  9. "There is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God." Romans 13:1

    "I URGE that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way." I Timothy 2:1-2
    posted by Christine
    on Thursday, November 8, 2012 at 9:38 am
  10. When I feel that I am the only one who cares about what God thinks and wants to do, even in government, He reminds me through Elijah - 1 Kings 19: 16, 18, And he said, "I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they seek to take my life. - God replied...Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel , all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.
    Though people in this country have forsaken God's rule over us, there is a remnant, and He will always preserve that for His Glory, despite our perceptions to the contrary. Neither candidate was aiming to bring our people back to God, so that is what we should be mourning in our spirits, not a result that did not please our minds. Chins up, girls, because God still reigns in the hearts of His people.
    posted by Candra S.
    on Thursday, November 8, 2012 at 9:48 am
  11. Psalm 27 & 118 were both a great encouragement to me. Also the words to Edward Mote's hymn "Solid Rock".
    posted by Leanna
    on Thursday, November 8, 2012 at 10:14 am
  12. The Lord gave me Psalm 5:11-12 on Monday to meditate on for the week and on Wednesday, He gave me Psalm 37 to memorize in the wake of the election. How desperately we need revival! How desperately the nation needs His vision for the unborn babies and marriage between one man and one woman.
    posted by Heather
    on Thursday, November 8, 2012 at 10:20 am
  13. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us hold onto grace. By it, we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe, Hebrews 12:28
    posted by Jody
    on Thursday, November 8, 2012 at 11:07 am
  14. Psalm 118:8 and 9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in Man. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.
    posted by Eleanor Tjoelker
    on Thursday, November 8, 2012 at 11:34 am
  15. Psalm 2
    1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
    2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying,
    3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.
    4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.
    5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.
    6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
    7 I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
    8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
    9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
    10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.
    11 Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
    12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

    This scripture came to me as I was reading this post. I actually haven't really any particular scripture in my heart but an all out meditation on who God is...We've been studying God in Sunday School. So far we've found out that He is a Spirit, He is personal, He is eternal and unchanging; He is omnipresent; He is omniscient; He is omnipotent and this Sunday our lesson will be He is Holy, He is Just and He is Truth.

    Last evening, I was encouraged by our Bishop to "maginfy" the Lord. He spoke of having a magnifying glass and told of how in order for you to use that magnifying glass, you had to focus on an object and look at that object specifically. He said that if you are focusing on the Lord and magnifying Him, then you can't focus or magnify anything else. You have to keep focus on Him. I was so encouraged and challenged. Have I been magnifying everything else??? Sadly to say, yes, I have. But, I am asking the Lord for repentance in this area..that He would indeed help me to take my focus off of everything and everyone else, and put it exclusively on Him and His Word.

    One more thing...I've been sing a chorus that I learned this past week....

    "We must put our trust in the strength of the Lord. His mighty are will be our shield and sword.
    Over every foe we willl prevail.
    HE WILL NOT TIRE; HE WILL NOT FALTER; HE WILL NOT FAIL."
    posted by Jodi C.
    on Thursday, November 8, 2012 at 12:14 pm
  16. The video shared here is uplifting. It is so good to hear about God at work in many nations, calling women to Himself.

    I am currently studying the book of Nehemiah. Here are verses that touched me today:

    "They read from the book, from the law of God, translating to give the sense so that they understood the reading.
    Then Nehemiah who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, 'This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.' For all the people were weeping when they heard the words of the law. . . . the joy of the Lord is your strength .

    This portion of scripture is a beautiful example of revival.
    http://carolvanderwoudern.com
    posted by Carol @ Health & Home & Heritage
    on Thursday, November 8, 2012 at 12:31 pm
  17. The scripture I quoted above is from Nehemiah 8:8-10
    http://carolvanderwoudern.com
    posted by Carol @ Health & Home & Heritage
    on Thursday, November 8, 2012 at 12:42 pm
  18. This post and its replies brought tears to my eyes, at witnessing God's children quoting His scriptures to comfort one another when things continue to appear the same.

    Candra S., I couldn't agree with you more, well said. I'm so glad you wrote it here.:)

    Thank you Father for the blessing of Hope, because You alone are faithful and you alone are Sovereign!

    Peace, love and blessings,
    posted by Jenny
    on Thursday, November 8, 2012 at 1:21 pm
  19. The Lord has been drawing my attention to many of these same scriptures that have already been shared! Its so wonderful and so encouraging to come on this blog and find mature and Godly encouragement from women who are such dear hearts, you feel like my own friends and sisters. Yes indeed! We are not alone! We have eyes to see and ears to hear what the SPiRIT is saying to the Church. I believe the LORD is also speaking from the book of JUDE. Such a clear encouragement to keep on keeping on and TRUST GOD, no matter what. Also to keep loving all others, sacraficially. Even when they mock us, as curious was doing. Curious, I pray that you are a seeker after the LIVING GOD, the True God! Because he will be found by you! We do NOT rejoice at mans ways, only wanting the freedom to boldly proclaim THE TRUTH. I am encouraged and instructed by Jeremiah 27-29. We have some time ahead where we are to 'Dwell in the Land and cultivate faithfulness". We will wait paitiently and confidently in our LORDs timing. Seriously HE knows what we need before HE will bring revival. That is what we really want! No man can do it. Keep your face smooth and beautifully peaceful and wait and trust!!
    posted by Ginny
    on Thursday, November 8, 2012 at 3:17 pm
  20. I was discouraged on the night of Nov. 6th and knew I was facing a night of tossing and turning. Then my husband shared a portion of Psalm 37 with me. "Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. Trust in the Lord and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the Lord and he shall give thee the des
    ires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgement as the noonday. Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him; fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger and forsake wrath; fret not thyself in any way to do evil. For evildoers shall be cut off but those that wait upon the Lord , they shall inherit the earth." Amen. Amen. Amen. I slept well. : )
    www.kneesdownchinup.com
    posted by Susan McCurdy
    on Thursday, November 8, 2012 at 4:32 pm
  21. I just came home from meeting with my mentee, a young newlywed from my church. By God's providence, we're studying Susan Hunt's book Prayers of the Bible together and tonight were looking at Jesus' prayer in John 17. Thinking of the recent election, how appropriate it was as we read that beautiful prayer, especially vs. 14-17: "I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth." How encouraging and strengthening it is to know that Jesus has and IS praying for us continually. May He be glorified!
    posted by Susan
    on Thursday, November 8, 2012 at 8:44 pm
  22. I have been meditating on Psalm 103. Though I wasn't disappointed with the results of the election, I seen very many people downcast and lying on their beds in shock and dismay. I was very upset at the behavior I seen! I realize that it all comes from a heart that doesn't trust God. It's a heart that's saying "Lord, I'd rather trust in a party and in my government to take care of me... You didn't allow the right person to win!!!" But God reminded me that I'm the same way when I don't trust Him. So I've been in prayer, and I want to trust the Lord with everything! Neither Obama or Romney are aware of my existence...but the Lord of Heaven and earth knows the very hairs on my head!!! I'll trust in Him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    posted by C.P.
    on Thursday, November 8, 2012 at 10:29 pm
  23. So much on my mind & heart lately...I think especially since returning from the TW12 conference in Indi. The Lord convicted me in the hubbub of the election hype to actually...fast (!) - I'm ashamed to say that in all my years as a believer...I've never done it! But after applying this discipline (for a few measly hours) and seeking God on my knees, I will say I arose with a peace (by God's graciousness to reward my weak faith)...not a peace that Romney would win, but that God would give us what we need - and we NEED revival and spiritual awakening in this country. So, honestly, I wasn't at all surprised, or all that disappointed, (gasp!) that Obama won! Don't get me wrong - I cast my vote for Mr. Romney, but what would we as a nation, no, what would we, the Church, do with four years of a "conservative" president??...(the stats are not in our favor...) Probably what we've done for the last several decades: go to sleep...just sit back and enjoy all the temporary, earthly, privileged blessings of life in the USA. (and oh yes, we've got it good here!!) As if that's what God saved us for!!! That's settling for the proverbial mud-pies, as CS Lewis put it! Oh, that we would crusade and campaign for revival and for enduring, eternal fruit!! Four years, and "nation-building" are a "drop in the bucket" (Is. 40)- but "the kingdom of God is not meat and drink (earthly stuff and priorities) but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit" and Jesus said, "my kingdom is not of this world..." and "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven" and "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness..." and, oh yes, Psalm 37- (I've seen that alot of us have been led of the Spirit to that psalm!) Kingdom promises - the meek, the righteous, the upright WILL inherit the land...but not through any earthly president or system of government, be it Blue or Red, capital or social, free or oppressed. All of that is earth-bound stuff that will perish with the earth - God's kingdom is forever!! "These things I have spoke unto you that in me you might have peace; in the world, you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world." Jn 16:33 So now what? We wake up, we get up, we get busy with kingdom work - the Gospel to every creature as our foremost priority, the hands and feet of Jesus to every person, we pray for Him to come and make all things right, we vote, we blow whistles where needed, we live honestly and with purity, we love our neighbor as ourselves, we open our mouths and our wallets for the helpless and weak, we labor by faith for true fruit that endures, we fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, and we press toward the prize!! That prize is HIM!! not the "American dream"...So much to do, so many ways to serve the King as His ministers of reconciliation on this earth! So, I'm not bummin'...I'm excited! Gettin' my battle gear on!!!
    posted by k.b.
    on Friday, November 9, 2012 at 10:04 am

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