Never Grow Weary

 Psalm 93, 132

Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14

John 18:33-37

Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in thy well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

 The results are in and without a better way to phrase it the people have spoken. While campaigning is over the dust is not settled and won't be till Christ returns. Wherever we are in the world we are given with what we're dealt and for us who believe in the Lord Christ, St. Paul exhorts us to "live as we are called," and that for us in the United States of America, as the situation stands post-election results, means that if the candidate you voted for won do not gloat with arrogance or pride; and if the candidate you voted for lost do not let despair and hopelessness seize you. Neither mindset is of the Kingdom of God, and straight from the pit of Hell. As we live our earthly sojourn we ought to lift up one another singing songs and hymns to our God; as subjects of his Kingdom stewarding his Church. This world, as it is, is not where we rest our final hope.

 Though Christ the King is not for 2 more weeks I chose this collect and the passages from another year, which I felt led to select for this occasion. In 1 Chronicles 29 King David prays to God before the assembly that the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, the majesty, all that is in the heavens and earth, and the kingdom belong to God and is exalted as head above all; referring us as strangers and sojourners before him. Our days on the earth are like a shadow and not abiding. We are present for only a short time and we need not get caught up in the mess of earthly politics as if our salvation is at stake. Nations rise and fall but God's kingdom is everlasting.

 There is no need for conquest with sword or spear, we are called to be peacemakers, abiding in and sharing the peace God gives us with the world. All things are under God's submission and will work out for all good. No government on earth can come close to the glory of the Kingdom of Heaven, the Church included, sad to say. We in our mortal bodies cannot attain to that perfection; no one has except Jesus Christ, and though we fall every day his earthly life serves as our first source we turn to. Reflecting on his earthly ministry sets us back on the straight and narrow, strengthening us by the Holy Spirit to bear our cross and follow him. Though our ideologies and philosophies may clash we turn to the Apostles' teaching and abide in the truth set before us in Christ; this calling requires us lay those opposing views at the altar and commit to the ministry of the Church. There are to be no factions among us as the Apostle St. Paul writes, for Christ's Kingdom is not of this world.

 This is not to say that current events and politics don't matter, they do tremendously and have strong implications, and have opportunities for serving our neighbor, whether they are Christian, some other religion, or no religion at all and proclaim the Gospel in word and deed. What we do or don't do in this mortal life carries on in the Judgement before Christ. No matter which side we find ourselves on, be imitators of God as beloved children, walking in love as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God, fighting the good fight of the faith, never growing weary in doing good, looking toward our final hope in being in the fullness of God's presence at the arrival of his Kingdom. Pray for your leaders regardless of your views for this is pleasing to God. After persevering to the end in righteousness as ones covered by the Blood of the Lamb, we will hear "well done good and faithful servant." Amen.

(Attached image is not my own work.)