Before battles rage on the earth, they rage within us — in the quiet war for our hope, our loyalty, and our love.

In a world riven by war and political upheaval, it’s easy to feel caught between competing loyalties — to our nations, to our leaders, to our own wearied hopes. Every news cycle seems to sharpen the edges of division. Every war reminds us of how fragile peace can be. Every election tempts us to believe that salvation might be found in the rise or fall of a human government.

But Scripture tells a deeper story.

Our true citizenship is not of this world.
“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 3:20)

When we lose sight of this, politics becomes an idol. Nations become idols. Power becomes an idol.
We find ourselves aligning more passionately with parties and policies than with the heart of God Himself.

And yet — God is not indifferent to the suffering of people under war and unjust rule. He is not passive toward violence, oppression, or the misuse of power.
“He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free, the Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down.” (Psalm 146:7-8)

Throughout Scripture, we see that God weeps with those who suffer under violence.
He hears the cries of the war-torn.
He sees the injustice that politics often worsens, rather than heals.
And He calls His people not to be mere bystanders, but to be reflections of His justice, His mercy, and His steadfast love — even in the darkest of times.

So where does that leave us?

It leaves us in a place of both action and humility.

We are called to seek justice and peace — but not to stake our hope on political outcomes.
We are called to pray for leaders — but not to worship them.
We are called to be active in the world’s pain — but not to lose ourselves to the world’s rage.

There are times when politics must be engaged with courage, because policies can either protect or harm the vulnerable.
There are times when war must be resisted, mourned, and decried, because every human life bears the image of God.

But our highest allegiance is not to a flag, or a ruler, or a party.
It is to a Kingdom that cannot be shaken.
It is to a King whose throne is established on righteousness and justice.

“The Lord reigns forever;
He has established His throne for judgment.
He rules the world in righteousness
and judges the peoples with equity.” (Psalm 9:7-8)

When wars rage, when political climates darken, when the world feels unrecognizable —
We remember: God is not swayed by elections.
He is not unseated by tanks or tyrants.
His purposes are not at the mercy of human pride.

He remains.
He reigns.
He is at work — even in the chaos we cannot understand.

And so, we do not despair.

We lament.
We pray.
We act where we can.
We anchor our hope where it was always meant to be — not in human systems, but in the hands of a faithful, eternal God.

“The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace.” (Psalm 29:11)

Come, Lord Jesus.
Teach us how to live in these days — with courage, with tenderness, and with eyes set firmly on You.