As I write this blog, the Presidential Election of 2024 is drawing to a close. We still don’t know who will win.

If your candidate loses, what should your reaction be?

After the 2024 Election? Or after any future elections?

The wisdom of Elijah and Jeremiah should renew your spirits.

Elijah was discouraged! Elijah was afraid!

Despite Elijah’s best efforts, Jezebel prevailed. He had to flee to save himself from Jezebel’s wrath. A death sentence! (1 Kings 18:1-46).

Nevertheless, LORD restored Elijah’s spirits.

First, the LORD let Elijah get a good night’s sleep. Then, the LORD gave Elijah a good meal: “some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water.” (1 Kings 19:5-6). Then, the LORD let Elijah get more rest and more food. (1 Kings 19:7-8).

So, if the person who you supported and voted for loses the election, it’s OK to feel bad. It’s normal to feel discouraged and afraid. Elijah did!

But don’t wallow in your discouragement and fear. Get some sleep. Eat a good meal. Comfort food! Then sleep and eat some more.

After meeting Elijah’s physical needs, the LORD met Elijah’s spiritual needs.

Similarly, the LORD will help you to remember that the LORD your God will go before you and be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you; you should never be afraid or discouraged. (Deuteronomy 31:8).

The LORD met Elijah’s spiritual needs by having Elijah go on a long spiritual “pilgrimage”, giving Elijah time to remember the many times and the many ways that the LORD had helped him in the past. (1 Samuel 7:12).

Elijah traveled for “forty days and nights” (1 Kings 19:8). He returned to “Mount Horeb” (also known by the name “Mount Sinai”)—the place where the LORD God gave the Ten Commandments. (Exodus 20:1-17; Deuteronomy 5:1-22).

While Elijah was there, he heard the voice of God as a still small voice. The LORD assured Elijah that, despite the many reasons for Elijah to be afraid and discouraged, there were still “7,000 people” who were fully faithful to the LORD. (1 Kings 19:11-13).

In Scripture, numbers such as “seven” and “seven thousand” mean a perfect, complete number. The LORD was re-assuring Elijah that the LORD still had a perfect, complete number of fully faithful followers—even though Elijah couldn’t see them during this time of defeat, fear and discouragement.

Similarly, the LORD will re-assure you that—despite his fully faithful followers being out-numbered and out-voted in the most recent election, the LORD still has a perfect, complete number of fully faithful followers!

Also, following the outcome of every election that your side loses, the wisdom of Jeremiah—like the wisdom of Elijah—should restore your spirits, strength and purpose.

Jeremiah had seen the total destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple. Nevertheless, Jeremiah praised God, having the wisdom to thank God despite so many reasons to be afraid and discouraged.

Jeremiah had the wisdom to discern that the Hesed of the LORD never ceases. Why? Because “the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning. Great is his faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23).

Jeremiah had the wisdom to discern God’s still small voice, saying “I know the plans I have for you, . . . plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11).

What is this hope and future?

Establishing the ideal America—the ideal Promised Land—that was first discovered by the hearts of Abraham, Moses and Jesus:

—the ideal America where all people will be blessed;

—the ideal America where all pharaohs will be challenged to set all people free; and

—the ideal America where all hurting people will be healed.

This Vision of an ideal America (embracing all Humanity) has been enduring, redeeming, and blessing Humanity for 3,500 years. (Genesis 12:3; Isaiah 2:2-4; Matthew 28:18-20).

This ideal America will endure despite losing the most recent election.

So take heart!

Even if your side loses the most recent election, the LORD still has plans to establish his ideal America, plans to prosper his ideal America, and plans not to harm his ideal America.

The LORD still has plans to give a hope and a future to “7,000 Americans” (from across all Humanity) who are fully faithful to the LORD.

God bless America!!!

THINGS TO THINK

Despite your best efforts, has your side in an election lost? How? Why?

What is your reaction if your side loses an election? Why?

Do you believe that, even if your side loses an election, God still has a plan to prosper us and give us hope? How? Why?

READ MORE

For some of my thoughts about politics and elections, please read my blogs “Civilizations and Governments: An Independent Path”, “Jesus Climbs the Temple Mount”, and “Alcatraz: Escaping by Using ‘Countervailing Powers’ Wisely”.

For some of my thoughts about when we should be divisive and when we should not be divisive, please read my blog “Grace and Peace: Titus”.

For some of my thoughts about how to build a civilization that is good, that is very good, please read my blog “How Do We Build a Civilization That Is Good—That Is Very Good”.

For some of my thoughts why we need to establish wise laws and wise customs, please read my blogs “Spilling Coffee” and “Individuals and Systems, Now and Forever, One and Inseparable”.

For some of my thoughts about Hesed, please read my blogs “Jesus Embodies Hesed—Sowing the Ideals of the Law of Moses and the Prophets” and  “Jesus Embodies Hesed—Saving Lost Sheep, Lost Coins, and Lost Sons”.