During any kind of election there are so many contributing factors that need to be taken into consideration. Policies and platforms, tax plans and tactics. So many numbers and statistics that it can make you go crazy. But what if there is another key factor that gets missed but just might be the most important of all?
The master plan
For the Christian we have no need to fear the outcome of an election. We have access to a peace and a hope in even the worst of circumstances. We know and can stand on the solid truth that Paul tells us in Romans 13:1-2
“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.”
Ultimately, God knew before the foundation of the world who every King, President, and Prime minister would be. Not only did he foresee these things but according to the bible, He is the one who appoints them to that position. He puts them there for one reason, to fulfill His ultimate plan. When you look at all the people in positions of power throughout the centuries, good or bad they were all put there by God to fulfill their part in His epic story. In the Bible we see rulers such as the Pharaoh of Egypt and Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. Both extremely ungodly and horrifically violent men. But even in their rule what do we see? To Pharaoh, God says in Exodus 9:16
“But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.”
And when the Lord humbled Nebuchadnezzar he boldly claims in Daniel 4:17
“…that the living may know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom He will and sets over it the lowliest of men.”
While we rest in Gods supreme sovereignty there is still work for us to do. Throughout the New Testament writings we are called to be subject to and respect those who are put into power over us. We find this call hard to process sometimes. As we can be sure the Christians living under the violent Roman Emperor Nero would have also found this hard to process. But the other duty that we are called to do is found in 1 Timothy 2:1-3
“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior.”
Only human
As we watch them squabble on TV and listen to endless attack ads it can become very easy to forget that these people are just that…people. Human beings created in the image of God just like you and I. And just like you and I they too have a soul and an eternal destination. One of those destinations is one where they will be trapped in eternal condemnation and separated from the God of hope. A verse often quoted and yet rarely applied comes from the words of Paul in Ephesians 6:12
“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”
Our fight is not with the political parties and governments of this world. Our fight is against Satan, the one who is stealing and destroying souls each and every day. The one who is whispering in the ears of sinners the same sweet nothings that he spoke to Eve in the garden.
So in these sure to be turbulent next few weeks, let us not forget first of all who the King of Kings is. It is He who appoints who He desires as presidents and rulers. Secondly let us not forget that every single human being, blue collar, white collar, President or peasant. Every single one has an eternal destination. So let us trust in our God and do what he commands us to do. Let us also take courage and be faithful to the call in Romans 12:21
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”