Dale Ridge church of Christ

               How do you as a Christian react in consideration of the election results?  We have heard a great deal about voting our conscience and values in the days, weeks and months that led up to the election.  But now, the decision has been made, and we must continue on from where we are now.  What does the Bible say that can help us at this point?

Sovereignty

                First and foremost, though we certainly have a voice in elections of our leaders through prayer and political participation, ultimately, the God of heaven is in control.  Paul reminds us that “The powers that be are ordained of God” (Rom. 13:1).  This is the very thing that the once pompous, self-sufficient King Nebuchadnezzar came to realize after he was humbled by the Almighty (Daniel 4:34-37).

Submission

                Second, we are to submit to governmental powers (Ecclesiastes 8:2-7; Romans 13:2; 1 Peter 2:13-14) as they align themselves with the will of God (Acts 4:19-20; Acts 5:29; Hebrews 11:23).  I am reminded of the kind of government that existed during the period of the New Testament era.  Leaders such as Herod the Great, Nero and Domitian reigned when Jesus said, “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:21) and when Peter stated that Christians are to “honour the king” (1 Peter 2:17).

Serenity

                King Solomon, speaking by inspiration and firsthand experience, stated, “The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water:  he turneth it withersoever he will” (Prov. 21:1).  In other words, a leader, whether he be local or national, may have certain ideologies, principles, goals, and intentions, but ultimately, they will go in the direction that God determines.  As water in a river has its own basic properties, its flow is hindered through various twists and turns by variances in topography, geography and other features that come within its path. 

Sometimes, rivers and streams meander throughout the layout of the land before reaching their destination.  So it is with leaders.  They may have certain goals in mind, but those goals are also in the hand of the LORD,” and “he turneth it withersover he will.”  With that in mind, we can be reminded of the importance of our prayers as we are instructed to “Pray for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” (1 Timothy 2:2).  Paul says that our prayers to God may set a different direction in the flow of the political stream.  In the uncertain times in which we live, knowing that God’s ears are open and that he is attentive to these prayers (1 Peter 3:12) can and will be a solid source of serenity.

                Our earthly leaders are all, to one degree or another, imperfect, and terms are temporary.  They may be those who lead righteously or unrighteously.  Though we are subject to them, we are reminded that as Christians, our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20 – here in this verse, the word “conversation” is polit-yoo-mah in the Greek and can understood as “citizenship”).  Our King is described as the “only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords” (1 Timothy 6:15).  In Him, we can overcome any adversity, any trial, and any discouragement that may face us in this life.  Through Him, we can gain the victory (1 John 5:4; Revelation 19:11-16).

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Filed under: Devotional, Michael Carter on November 6th, 2008