A thought as we embark on election day.
“Every person is to be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a servant of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for the sake of conscience,” Romans 13:1-6.
Paul wrote this as he was imprisoned and awaiting execution at the hands of the emperor Nero, one of the most vicious, wicked rulers to ever live.
Regardless of which candidate wins today, God isn’t taken by surprise. To the contrary, they will win because God intends them to win to accomplish His will and plan; whether for a blessing or judgment on our nation, only time will tell. “The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the LORD,” Proverbs 16:33.
So before you pull the trigger on, “so and so isn’t MY president” once the results of this election are announced, stop and think about what you are REALLY saying: God isn’t MY god. “[T]here is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God…”
This isn’t a new problem.
“Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah; and they said to him, ‘Behold, you have grown old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint us a king to judge us like all the nations.’ But the matter was displeasing in the sight of Samuel when they said, ‘Give us a king to judge us.’ And Samuel prayed to the LORD. And the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Listen to the voice of the people regarding all that they say to you, because they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being King over them. Like all the deeds which they have done since the day that I brought them up from Egypt even to this day—in that they have abandoned Me and served other gods—so they are doing to you as well. Now then, listen to their voice; however, you shall warn them strongly and tell them of the practice of the king who will reign over them’,” 1 Samuel 8:4-9.
In the end, God will give the people the leaders they desire in line with His will. Over time I have voiced my strong concerns regarding BOTH candidates. As I have already said, only time will tell whether today’s results are for our good or our judgement as a nation.
May God have mercy on us.
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