The last several Presidential Elections have been contentious and close. Contentions and division in elections and among politicians is nothing new. Take for instance the bitter rivalry between Vice President Aaron Burr and former Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton in 1804. The Burr-Hamilton conflict was an extension of the political divide between the two dominant parties of the late 1700s and early 1800s.
The conflict started in 1791 when Burr, a member of the Democratic-Republican party, won an election as a senator over Hamilton’s father-in-law Philip Schuyler. Hamilton was the Secretary of the Treasury at the time, and a staunch supporter of the Federalist party, as was Schuyler. In 1800 Burr ran for president, as did Thomas Jefferson (there were no primaries at that time), against the incumbent of the Federalist Party, John Adams. The candidate with the most Electoral College votes would be president, while the one with the second most votes would be Vice President. Due to a tie, the election was moved to the Federalist controlled House of Representatives. Hamilton used all his influence to persuade The House to elect Thomas Jefferson as president and Burr as Vice President. As a result, The Burr-Hamilton conflict went from disagreement to deadly. Letters and newspaper articles, mostly by Hamilton, fueled the conflict, resulting in Burr challenging Hamilton to a duel. The two men met in New Jersey early on the morning of July 11, 1804. Hamilton’s shot went awry, while Burr’s landed in Hamilton’s stomach, resulting in his death a day later. Burr never faced a murder trial, but was discredited and quickly disappeared from the political scene.
This year’s election won’t result in a duel, but it will continue to fuel the flames of division between the Democratic and Republican parties. Our country’s motto of “In God We Trust” is quickly changing to “In God We Divide.” Men and women in both political parties are using racism, the pandemic, gun control, and a plethora of other issues to further their politic careers, often in the name of God and/or religion. What should be the action of Christians during this contentious political time in America? Christians must take a stand on Biblical truth. There is no compromise when it comes to the “Sanctity of Life,” the freedom to worship God, marriage between a man and woman only, parental authority, and several other issues.
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).
The emphasis on 40 days of fasting and prayer should not end on Election Day. We need to daily pray for our leaders, and for God to bring revival to America (2 Chronicles 7:14, 1 Timothy 2:2). Lastly, trust God. Trust Him every moment, every day, and in every situation!
“Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us” (Psalms 62:8).
Uncompromisingly stand on Biblical truth, pray, and trust God. That’s a formula that can lead to joy during this difficult time.