The Election is Over — Now What? Genesis 48:17-20

When Joseph saw his father placing his right hand on Ephraim’s head he was displeased; so he took hold of his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head. Joseph said to him, “No, my father, this one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head.”

But his father refused and said, “I know, my son, I know… ”

Genesis 48:17-20

The Election is Over, Now What?

“When Joseph saw his father placing his right hand on Ephraim’s head he was displeased.” (v.17)

He put Ephraim, Joseph’s second born, ahead of Joseph’s first born, Manasseh — and Joseph didn’t like it.

How about this election? One man was put ahead of another. How did you like it? I find it interesting we find ourselves at this precise point in Genesis, the day after the election. Because whether your guy was elected or defeated, this passage couldn’t be more relevant to what happened yesterday. Whether your guy won or lost you have to approach it by saying, Praise be to the name of God, he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. (Daniel 2:20-21)

Let’s be frank with each other. You and I have spent hours in front of the TV and radio watching and listening to election coverage. You and I have spent hours reading articles and blog posts, and listening to podcasts about what’s wrong with our country.

But God said, “…if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

God didn’t say, “…if my people, will watch FOX News or CNN, and listen to Rachel Maddow or Glenn Beck, and read the New York Times or the Washington Post, then I will hear from heaven and will heal their land.”

What if, instead of doing what we’ve always done, we did what God said to do? What if you and I really did humble ourselves? And what if you and I really did pray and seek His face?

What if we became serious and intentional about our relationship with God?

Why wouldn’t we? There’s nothing more important.

Right now there’s a temptation to dwell on the results of the election. There’s a temptation to dwell on what the next four years are going to look like, politically.

But I think those who have wisdom, and knowledge, and discernment, recognize it’s time to move forward. (Daniel 2:20-21)

Rather than focus on who’s in office, I think it’s far more important to focus on where you have real control.

What will the next four years look like for you?

And most important of all,

What will your next four years look like to God?

 

[Image via hpebley3, Creative Commons]

[HT: TJ Lathrom, Jeff Hensley]