Monday, November 3
Then Saul said, "O Lord God of Israel, why have you not answered your servant today? If this guilt is in me or in my son Jonathan, O Lord God of Israel, give Urim; but if this guilt is in your people Israel, give me Thummim."
—1 Samuel 14:41
Throughout most of my life I have thought each election was, without question, the single most important election in all of human history. If I forgot the importance of the day both parties did all they could to remind me that the future depended on my vote.
Most of the time, I have entered the voting booth with a prayer in my heart, hoping that my vote might in some small way reflect God's vote, and even asking for a bit of a helping hand. But most of the time, my predictions have turned out to be utterly inaccurate. Despite the hype I was apparently incapable of discerning God's will.
Saul had the same dilemma.
When God failed to answer his prayers, he didn't know if he was the problem or perhaps the people of Israel were to blame. There was, perhaps, a measure of humility in his dilemma. At least he considered the possibility that he might not be right.
And so he turned to Urim and Thummim which were, evidently, two stones—or perhaps bones—worn in the breastplate of a priest. When they were tossed on the ground they were intended to reveal God's will.
So it is with us.
We offer prayers, and wait for an answer that will
point the way towards life. When that happens we will find the leading
causes of life to be at work. They will ask us to connect, and
reconnect; to find meaning, and to amend it; to take action and respond;
to find and renew hope; and to give and receive blessing.
In every election, regardless of who wins, we can always move towards life.
Almighty God, we ask for your blessings on the eve of this election. We know that tomorrow some will rejoice, and others will weep. Guide us all as we console, encourage, and begin the living of life once again. Amen.
