Prayer Of Trust in God During An Uncertain Transition in Power In Government

 Transition of Power

Well, it’s been quite a week in United States, to say the least.  I’m not sure I ever expected to see some of the images we saw of events taking place there.  It will be interesting to see the rest of the journey until President-elect Biden is sworn into office.  What will the transition of power look like?

The Bible clearly describes another transition of power that has much more far-reaching effects for each of us.

Giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.  Colossians 1:12-14

I’m so grateful that God saw us when our lives were in the middle of darkness and trouble and did everything necessary so we could become his holy people who live with Him in the kingdom of light.  What an amazing transition of power over us Jesus provided for us when He conquered death and sin, and made redemption and the forgiveness of sin available to us. 

I know the impact of God coming to have charge of my life and the verse from Isaiah 9 really speaks of that personal transformation I’m so grateful God brought about for me:

The people who walk in darkness will see a great light.  For those who live in the land of deep darkness, a light will shine.  Isaiah 9:2

I know the sadness and heaviness of living a long time under the despair and hopelessness of that darkness and thinking there was no way out.  I’m so grateful that God made a way and persisted with me until I was able to see and respond to what He was showing me Jesus had done for me that was light and hope.  It’s true for each one of us and it is wonderful.  These verses express it well, I think:

The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.  John 1:9-13

So today, loving God, we thank you for the transition of power that You brought about for each of us when Jesus died on the cross for our sin after living a perfect life.  He broke the power of sin and death and opened up a way for us to know life and light and love in relationship with You.  Now that’s a transition of power we can only celebrate.

We do pray for our friends in United States as they endure these uncertain days of much disease and death from the covid-19 pandemic and then the fear and distress of what’s been going on in the halls of power in Washington, DC.  Lord, in the hearts of all those who know You I pray that You will raise up the clear truth that You are the Lord and You are in control. 

Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. 1 Chronicles 29:11

Your kingdom is not of this world and whatever course the affairs of this world take in the short term, Your kingdom will come and Your will will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Governments and presidents will come and go, but Your kingdom will last forever.  We take heart in that and stand steady in that today no matter how things shake and shift in government buildings.

Even our recent celebration of Christmas reminds us of this: 

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. Isaiah 9:6-7

Thank you God today that we can walk in the kingdom of light …

… because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.

  Luke 1:78-79

So we’ll watch with interest to see what kind of transition of power takes place in United States in these next days but let’s hold on securely to the reality that God’s kingdom of light will carry us through whatever transpires.