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As you probably know, last week America had an election! The results are in and Donald Trump will be the 45th President of the United States. That means 50% of the population is full of great joy, hope and excitement about the future - and 50% of the population is filled with dismay, disappointment and sadness. This is normal and part of living in a democracy.

During this election cycle - like other elections before it - the desires, opinions and emotions of people on both sides ran hot - publicly and silently. And, now people on BOTH sides deserve the right to freely express their respectful response - either joy and gladness or grief and sadness - with the hopes that after a period of celebration and/or mourning, our whole country can come together for what lies ahead. As Christians, we can and should pray for all parties.

This past week, I found The Basics Daily Devo I wrote and sent out 8 years ago on Election Day, Tuesday, November 4, 2008, titled: "What If My Guy Doesn't Win?" The thoughts and emotions during that election cycle were very much like they are now and I thought you might find encouragement in reading this Devo from 2008.

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Tuesday, November 4, 2008 – What If My Guy Doesn’t Win?
"Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.” 1 Peter 3:9, NIV

Today is the big day: Election Day. Passions, opinions, rhetoric and hopes are running high. Many people are praying and trusting the system for a fair and fruitful process. It’s a privilege to vote and each of us should take this to heart as we vote for the candidate of our choice. At the end of the day, (assuming we have definitive results tonight) we will know the outcome of the election and the name of the next President of the United States. The bummer is that nearly 50% of the population won’t be happy.

If your candidate doesn’t win, what should you do? Don’t fall for the temptation to return evil with evil or insult with insult. Don’t get caught in the trap of naysaying, criticizing and bashing. Do the very opposite. Do the thing you feel least like doing – return a blessing. Make a choice to bless the new President and Vice President, even if they weren’t your choice.

There are several reasons to do this; listen to what the rest of the passage in 1 Peter says, "Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing." For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it…” (1 Peter 3:10)

If you want to love life and see good days, keep your heart in the right place. Choose to bless those who are elected to stand in the office of President and Vice President whether you agree with their politics or policies or whether you trust their character or judgment. Trust in the Lord, seek peace and pursue it.

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The Devo from 2008 is just as pertinent in 2016 as it was then. What's our response? The same as it was then...let's pray!

Say It: Father, I did my part and exercised my right to vote last week. The results are in and now I ask You to give the duly elected 45th President Your wisdom and guidance as he leads our country forward. Whether the candidate of my choice won or lost, I choose to bless the President-elect. I will not return evil for evil or insult for insult, but I will give a blessing so that I may inherit a blessing. I want to love my life and see good days, so help me put a guard on my heart and keep my lips free from evil speaking. Help me to seek and pursue peace. I pray for Your blessing and unity upon America. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Beth and Jeff Jones Ministries
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Author Biography

Beth Jones
Web site: Valley Family Church
 
As a young couple, fresh out of Bible School with Two daughters and a third child on the way, Jeff and Beth Jones felt God's call to pioneer Valley Family Church in 1991 with a vision to make an eternal difference in Southwest Michigan. As a husband and wife team, they have always led together as visionary pastors and have shared the pulpit as Bible teachers. They are passionate about building the local church in greater Kalamazoo and the global church around the world.
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