Election Aftermath & What Happens In The Psalm 23 Meditation
Hello. Hope your soul is well as this 2016 Presidential election has come to a close. Since Wednesday, we’ve probably all read or heard or witnessed emotional reactions to the surprise outcome. God however is not surprised one bit.
Psalm 47:2- For the LORD Most High is awesome, the great king over
all the earth.
Psalm 47:8-9- God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne… for the kings of the earth belong to God.
The kings (rulers of nations) do belong to God. Jesus is firmly established as great king over all the earth (Daniel 7:13-14). He is Sovereign. The only one who has ever been resurrected and lifted to Heaven to be seated above all powers, principals and authorities, reigning and ruling forever!.
Notice what direction the son of man is coming from in Daniel 7. It seems this human is coming from the earth and approaches the Ancient of Days. Notice in Psalm 47 where God is proclaimed as ruler and king over all the earth, that verse 5 says this king is God who has “gone up with a shout”, the LORD with a sound of a trumpet. Because of his selfless sacrifice to bear the judgment of God for us, Christ has defeated all powers that have any ability to harm those of us who trust in Him.
That fact does not calm enough souls. Its clear many did not have peace before the election and many do not have peace after the election. Jesus would say, “Come to me…”
You know Psalm 23 says “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack
nothing. He
makes me
lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters…”
Did you know that
sheep need to be MADE to lie down
by their shepherd? This is why that verse is worded that way. Did you know there are 4 areas the Good Shepherd will actively be at work so his sheep will lie down? One of them is that God’s flock must be free of
circumstantial fears
or threats. Sheep are easily spooked. If they sense any predator nearby, a sheep will not lie down and rest.
A good number of people (believers and non-believers) are currently spooked that Trump was elected president. This is an example of a circumstantial fear taking control. Many perceive his leadership is like that of a predator that will destroy their lives and this country. A new president is a circumstance that affects those who live in this nation. I’m not going to conclude whether people’s fears are rational or irrational. The point is that they exist. What do you do with them?
A soul in unrest is a soul astray. God says we (human race) are all like sheep who have gone astray.
Whether rational or irrational fears, the LORD CAN “make” people lie down. Yes He CAN DO this even when real threats exist, He knows we can not rest unless we are under His leadership, care, and protection.
How does God make one lie down? First we must be one of His sheep, in his flock, i.e. not astray. Second, we must listen and follow His voice. Jesus says his sheep hear his voice, that He knows his sheep, and that they follow Him, John 10:27. We will listen and obey if we surrender to his guidance and trust in His care. When we believe no thing and no person has any real power to harm us, we will lie down and rest.
Psalm 118:6- The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?
In the Psalm 23 meditation, I take people through the 4 areas (circumstantial, relational, provisional, and mental) that prevent people from resting in God’s care. In a prayerful stance, I encourage people (with God’s help) to search their hearts and discover what is preventing them from resting. Time is given to talk to God, process, reflect, and wait for God’s presence to minister. God is faithful to bring up and address the areas causing our souls unrest. As people are led through the 4 areas in prayer, God has given a great amount of wisdom, insight, strategy, and comfort. He has helped people hone in on root issues related to their fears and ways forward for healing under His care.
On Saturday morning, I will be leading a group through the Psalm 23 meditation. Whether man or woman, child, youth, adult, or senior, God knows we have fears that only He can still. King David, a man after God’s own heart, leader of God’s nation humbled himself, identifying himself as a sheep under God’s care. (This is one prayer to pray for our president elect.) May we obey God and pray for our leaders, 1 Timothy 2:1-2..
If your group might be interested in experiencing the Psalm 23 meditation, please visit the page called “Invite me in”. Fill out the form so I can follow up with you. Your group will experience many blessings as the Holy Spirit leads people to find soul rest.
Finally, if this ministry is a blessing to you, consider a one time donation. God has blessed, provided, and surprised me with this type of encouragement on a very timely basis. It continues to be a walk of faith to trust and minister as led by Him. I feel in the next season He is leading me with some ideas on how to witness to the lost in prayer as well as have resources for Christians. I’m starting to have meetings with a few leaders about this type of outreach. More on that in the coming weeks.
Also, I have recently found out a family member whom I love very much; and have not had time with in years, will be staying with me the first week of December. This means I will be adjusting the date for the last Worship-Intercession session scheduled for December 7th. I need to confirm room assignment so can’t announce a new date yet. I will also send out an email to those who I was aware were planning on coming on December 7th.
Be blessed to rest as a sheep under the Good Shepherd’s loving, protective, and powerful presence! No harm shall come to you, his goodness and mercy will follow you all the days of your life, and you will dwell in the house of the LORD forever!
