We have Trump versus. Biden, the Republicans versus the Democrats, the nationalists versus the globalists, and Fox News vs. CNN, MSNBC, ABC, CBS, Twitter, and Facebook.
So, what do you think? Who’s team is God on? Is God a conservative or a progressive? Does he favor the elephants or the donkeys? Oh my friends, please be careful before you answer loudly.
Consider this true story found in God’s Word:
When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?” And he said, “No; but I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, “What does my lord say to his servant?” And the commander of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, “Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.
Joshua 5:13-15
Joshua was preparing for war against Jericho.
In doing so, he was absolutely convinced he was in the right. He was God’s man who had received God’s instruction. He was the ordained leader who was leading his people to be strong and courageous, exercise faith, cross the Jordan River, and enter into the land of fruit, nuts, and giants. Yes, I am sure Joshua thought he was in the right and God was on his side.
However, on this particular day, God had a lesson to teach Joshua. Joshua looked up, and out of nowhere, there was the Commander of the Lord’s Army. There he was, a manly warrior, most likely a manifestation of the Son, with sword drawn.
It was then that Joshua asked the important — but ignorant and arrogant — question, “Are you for us or against us?” Basically, Joshua wanted to know, “Are you on our team, or are you on their team?”
At this point, I think we all assume the divine answer will be, “Yes, I am with you Joshua; I am on your team.” But that is not what the Commander said. Instead, he proclaimed a very clear, “No!” The angelic warrior made it clear he was not on the side of Jericho or Israel. He was on his own side. He was on the Lord’s side, and Joshua needed to understand this reality.
Friends, for decades, the United States has been divided by two philosophical factions.
Over the last few years, the division have grown deeper. Oh, how the two parties despise and abuse one another.
And tomorrow, on the day following our national election, the conflict is going to worsen. War is going to be realized over who voted, how their votes were cast, when their votes were collected, and how they are being tabulated. Beyond a shadow of a doubt, there will be a plethora of lawsuits from both parties. Who can only imagine what Trump, Pence, Barr, McConnell, and Graham have up their sleeves? It is impossible to predict the schemes to be realized by Biden, Harris, Pelosi, and Schumer. How will the Supreme Court be forced to exercise its power? How bad will be the protests? Who will riot, how much lawless chaos will be realized, and how many lives will be lost? What will happen to the markets, our investments, our businesses, and savings? Will we run out of bread and toilet paper? And how long will it be until a clear presidential winner is declared and agreed upon in the United States of America? Yes my friends, tomorrow is going to be very interesting as the polarizing discord in our land escalates. It’s going to get worse between the elephants and donkeys before it gets better.
But the question is not, “Is God on our side?” Instead, the question must be, “Are we on God’s side?” Regardless of our political parties, economic platforms, national borders, school choice, or views on climate change, the Coronavirus, and Dr. Fauci, “Are we on God’s team?” Are we going to be characterized by …
- Our reception of his Word
- Our humble acknowledgment of our gross depravity
- Our fascination with the free Gospel — for anyone and everyone
- Our confidence in the Lord Jesus and his governmental appointments
- Our unity in the church despite our political diversity
- Our overlooking offenses, confessing our sins, and speaking forgiveness
- Our love for all — family, church, neighbors, and enemies
- Our expression of love, joy, peace, patience, and kindness
- Our calling to self-sacrifice and prefer others more than ourselves
- Our hunger to improve the oppressed
- Our ever-growing fascination with God’s Word and desire to walk in wisdom
- Our being lights and salt in this world, regardless of all that has been decreed by our sovereign God.
- Our focusing foremost on spiritual fruit over temporal wealth
- Our acceptance of persecution if this is the perfect will of our Loving Father
Friends, it is not wrong for us to wear our team colors. It is OK to be a Clemson fan, and if we want to be a South Carolina fan, I guess we can go down that disappointing road as well. However, it is wrong for our secondary team colors to get in the way of our primary community and mission. It is not a question of whether God is on the side of the Tigers or a Gamecocks. The question is, “Are you — tigers or gamecocks — on the side of God?
The same is true with us — Conservative Republicans and Progressive Democrats. It is good we studied, pontificated, paraded, supported, and voted. It is good we strove to be good neighbors and worshiping stewards of all given to us by our Father. We have worn our colors and our hats well. However, now it is time for us to remember our primary calling. We get to make disciples that sweeten this world and forever enjoy the next. Let’s get back to primary matters. Let’s focus afresh on God, his name, his family, his kingdom, his power, his glory, and his great commission. Let us be “Little R” Republicans. Let us be “Little D” Democrats. Above all, let us be “Big C” Christians.
Unfathomable Grace 
Amen!