Biden’s Leaving and Trump’s Returning, But the Battle is Still Raging

by Paul Batura | November 11, 2024 | Election 2024

It’s been a week since Donald Trump was officially elected for a second, non-consecutive term — an historic campaign that promises to reshape and redefine our nation’s priorities.

With the calling of the Arizona presidential race over the weekend, the margin of President-elect Trump’s electoral win is now final (312-226), and his popular vote advantage is currently approaching 3.6 million.

The GOP will control the United States Senate with a likely 53 seats. The House of Representatives is still to be decided, but the Republicans currently have the edge.

It was Abraham Lincoln who said, “The ballot is stronger than the bullet.” Theodore Roosevelt invoked similar weaponry imagery when he observed, “A vote is like a rifle; its usefulness depends upon the character of the user.”

Elections are often turning points in a country’s history – sometimes it’s a revolution, other times a restoration, rejuvenation, and even a redemption of ideals.

Evidence suggests last Tuesday was a repudiation of the inane and an embrace of common sense – but it remains to be seen how new majorities will respond and what they’ll be able to accomplish.

Of course, elections don’t last forever, and the country is beginning its pivot from campaign to governing mode. The next few months will be filled with news of political appointments, legislative priorities, and even ideological soul-searching.

Some Christians might be exhaling, relieved the “fight” is over – but the reality is the battle remains ongoing.

Writing to Christians at Ephesus, the apostle Paul urged believers:

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm (Ephesians 6:11-13).

In this context, Paul is reminding us that all of life is a battle. It shouldn’t surprise us when difficult days and challenging circumstances occur. The election may be over, but the work is only beginning.

It’s a reminder that the “enemy” is not an opposing political party. It’s a not a person on Capitol Hill. It’s Satan – and he is determined to try to rattle and steal your peace of mind and sow misery at every turn.

Paul provides us with a blueprint on how to confront the wickedness:

Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak (Ephesians 6:14-20).

It was the late Dr. Timothy Keller who once suggested, “To put on the armor of God means to take the things that are objectively true of you as a Christian, the privileges and positions of being a Christian, to take what’s externally and objectively true and so drill it into your heart.”

In other words, when you put on the “armor of God” you’re not rattled by culture’s lies. You’re persuaded by neither political attacks nor political hacks. You stand firm, stand tall – and stand up to the bullies who work overtime to tear you down.

“A pilot without his chart, a scholar without his book, and a soldier without his sword, are alike ridiculous,” wrote the 17^th century Anglican clergyman William Gurnall. “Above all these, it is absurd for one to think of being a Christian, without knowledge of the word of God and some skill to use this weapon.”

His contemporary Thomas Brooks left us with a similarly strong charge – and one that believers should embrace as we head into this next political season:

“Remember this, that your life is short, your duties many, your assistance great, and your reward sure; therefore faint not, hold on and hold up, in ways of well-doing, and heaven shall make amends for all.”

Amen.

Image from Getty.