This week, a small percentage of Americans will cast their votes to determine who leads this nation. In countries with elected representatives, these chosen men and women are supposed to reflect the values of those who put them in positions of power. But if a majority of society does not fulfill their obligation to vote, those in power will instead reflect the views of a small but powerful minority. When Christians neglect their civil duty, that minority can often be hostile to biblical values and spiritual truths.
Proverbs 29:2 reminds us that “when the godly are in authority, the people rejoice, but when the wicked are in power, they groan” (NLT). Americans are groaning a lot these days, and it is precisely because too many Christians do not vote. Many in national leadership have proven without a doubt to be incompetent. This week, they must be replaced by principled, qualified leaders in the House, Senate, and local jurisdictions. It is the responsibility and privilege of every American to vote. It is certainly the responsibility of Christians who claim to know a God who cares and offers supernatural guidance.
You may have heard much from political parties and candidates. They typically point to our nation’s problems and claim they have solutions. What should we believe? Who should we support?
When Moses needed leaders for Israel, his father-in-law Jethro gave him the always-to-be-trusted formula: “Select out of all the people able men who fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain…”[1] Please pray this week and by all means vote on principle.
All voters should follow Jethro’s advice. Stand for God’s kingdom principles! Don’t be overly impressed by a party’s rhetoric, a slick speech, a pleasant smile, or an attractive personality. For every problem, challenge, mountain, or valley we face, there is a God bigger than any challenge – bigger than any mountain. Jesus said, “You can level the mountain and cast it into the sea.” He promised to be with us in every valley – even in death’s dark shadow. God has made it very clear, “There is not a ditch or a pit that I can’t lift you out of.”
Whether you are registered as a Democrat or a Republican, you will not ride a donkey or an elephant to ultimate victory. God alone can lift our nation out of the valley of despair and empower you to overcome challenges and obstacles. Let’s settle it once and for all: NO PHAROAH, KING, UNCLE SAM, PRESIDENT, OR EARTHLY RULER IS ADEQUATE FOR THE TASK. We must hear God and follow His direction.
Whatever political banner you may wave, you need the banner of the Lord and the principles of Almighty God or you are going nowhere but down. The way up is God. The way out is Divine Direction. True north is always found pointing to the Father. Set your course according to the one undeniable reliable compass and sail our ship of state in that direction. Insist on a crew that will do it and join with other passengers demanding the necessary course correction.
The history of our country is but a short chapter in God’s grand, unfolding cosmic drama. Yet it is the chapter in which we live and choose and act. We have been told how the story ends, but not how our chapter ends, perhaps because, mysteriously, it is given to us to help write it. Our hands are feeble, our eyes are dim, and our resolve is weak. Yet we must face the trouble now if our children are to live in peace. So let us pray more fervently than we have ever prayed for a historic outpouring of the Holy Spirit on us, His Church. Not an outpouring that merely moves us to tears, but a cascading waterfall of God’s suffering and abiding love, which will lead us to act with bravery, to walk with integrity, and to stand in unity for the renewal of our culture and the restoration of our nation – one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.[3]
[1] Exodus 18:21 NAS [2] Exodus 20:8 NAS [3] INDIVISIBLE, Restoring Faith, Family, and Freedom Before It’s Too Late by James Robison & Jay W. Richards
