From my limited perspective in Australia, it seems the entire world stares horrified at the presidential race in the United States. It is a nation which appears more fractured and divided than ever, and it is clear that no person - no matter how savvy or capable - will be able to bind or heal these wounds. If I was tasked to describe each of the leading candidates with one word, positive possibilities do not immediately spring to mind. These candidates should not be blamed for polarising America, for this race has only brought the septic boil which had already been festering to the surface. Believing a person, political party, or even "the people" have the capacity to create positive change by effort alone without the aid of God is like a man thinking he is able to stop an earthquake with his hands. The word "futile" comes to mind.
Should Christians vote as led by the Spirit? Absolutely. But we are to engage in political process recognising our hope is in God alone, not in government, politicians, or a majority vote. Unless the LORD builds the house, they labour in vain who build it (Ps. 127:1). In Genesis 11 when all people banded together to build a tower to make a name for themselves in disobedience to God, He confounded their languages and immediately scattered them. What God told the nation Israel in Jeremiah 18:6-10 is relevant for all nations for all time: "O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter?" says the LORD. "Look, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel! 7 The instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, to pull down, and to destroy it, 8 if that nation against whom I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I thought to bring upon it. 9 And the instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it, 10 if it does evil in My sight so that it does not obey My voice, then I will relent concerning the good with which I said I would benefit it." Nebuchadnezzar was a mighty king of a world empire, but it was nothing for God to raise him up or cast him down (Daniel 2:20-22). One would hope "a nation under God" would lay this to heart.
So what should be our response to the antics of politicians and their rabid supporters? One temptation is to retreat from the fray and with grim faces stockpile food, supplies, and ammunition for the apocalypse. Any such retreat would be a silly, shortsighted gesture. When God spoke of the Day of the LORD, a day of severe future judgment, He gave His people commands we would do well to consider. Joel 2:11-13 reads, "The LORD gives voice before His army, for His camp is very great; for strong is the One who executes His word. for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; who can endure it? 12 "Now, therefore," says the LORD, "turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning." 13 So rend your heart, and not your garments; return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness; and He relents from doing harm." Turning away from politics is of little consequence if we do not turn to the LORD! It was foolish for people to think they could prevent or escape the judgment of God, and refusal to vote will not prevent a candidate you do not support from being voted into office. One person alone has no control over the future. But every man with a contrite, humble heart has an audience before the living God. God's people are called to turn to Him first themselves. Don't bother bringing a nation before God until you are first willing to humble yourself before Him for your own sin. He invites all to return to Him with broken hearts over the condition of this fractured world and divided nations. Are they not all as soft clay in His hand? If we harden our hearts and put our confidence in men, we are truly without hope.
Our God is a great God, the One we should trust and seek in times of peace or conflict, in seasons of abundance or lack. He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness. His mercies are new every morning for great is His faithfulness. God chooses to use everyday people to accomplish His will, not just paid professionals and politicians. The focus of the media and people seems to be fixed upon a few politicians, but God is looking somewhere else entirely in the second part of Isaiah 66:2: "But on this one will I look: on him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word." The world holds its breath to see who will be the next President of the United States, but believers can breathe easy though our hearts break over the sick condition of a nation who looks to a man or woman rather than God for hope and help. We do not need to fear regardless who is elected to office, what laws are passed, or if current freedoms are outlawed by a totalitarian regime. Let us turn to God with all our hearts, fear Him, and look to Him for our bright future. He's the only One who can save us.
Should Christians vote as led by the Spirit? Absolutely. But we are to engage in political process recognising our hope is in God alone, not in government, politicians, or a majority vote. Unless the LORD builds the house, they labour in vain who build it (Ps. 127:1). In Genesis 11 when all people banded together to build a tower to make a name for themselves in disobedience to God, He confounded their languages and immediately scattered them. What God told the nation Israel in Jeremiah 18:6-10 is relevant for all nations for all time: "O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter?" says the LORD. "Look, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel! 7 The instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, to pull down, and to destroy it, 8 if that nation against whom I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I thought to bring upon it. 9 And the instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it, 10 if it does evil in My sight so that it does not obey My voice, then I will relent concerning the good with which I said I would benefit it." Nebuchadnezzar was a mighty king of a world empire, but it was nothing for God to raise him up or cast him down (Daniel 2:20-22). One would hope "a nation under God" would lay this to heart.
So what should be our response to the antics of politicians and their rabid supporters? One temptation is to retreat from the fray and with grim faces stockpile food, supplies, and ammunition for the apocalypse. Any such retreat would be a silly, shortsighted gesture. When God spoke of the Day of the LORD, a day of severe future judgment, He gave His people commands we would do well to consider. Joel 2:11-13 reads, "The LORD gives voice before His army, for His camp is very great; for strong is the One who executes His word. for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; who can endure it? 12 "Now, therefore," says the LORD, "turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning." 13 So rend your heart, and not your garments; return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness; and He relents from doing harm." Turning away from politics is of little consequence if we do not turn to the LORD! It was foolish for people to think they could prevent or escape the judgment of God, and refusal to vote will not prevent a candidate you do not support from being voted into office. One person alone has no control over the future. But every man with a contrite, humble heart has an audience before the living God. God's people are called to turn to Him first themselves. Don't bother bringing a nation before God until you are first willing to humble yourself before Him for your own sin. He invites all to return to Him with broken hearts over the condition of this fractured world and divided nations. Are they not all as soft clay in His hand? If we harden our hearts and put our confidence in men, we are truly without hope.
Our God is a great God, the One we should trust and seek in times of peace or conflict, in seasons of abundance or lack. He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness. His mercies are new every morning for great is His faithfulness. God chooses to use everyday people to accomplish His will, not just paid professionals and politicians. The focus of the media and people seems to be fixed upon a few politicians, but God is looking somewhere else entirely in the second part of Isaiah 66:2: "But on this one will I look: on him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word." The world holds its breath to see who will be the next President of the United States, but believers can breathe easy though our hearts break over the sick condition of a nation who looks to a man or woman rather than God for hope and help. We do not need to fear regardless who is elected to office, what laws are passed, or if current freedoms are outlawed by a totalitarian regime. Let us turn to God with all our hearts, fear Him, and look to Him for our bright future. He's the only One who can save us.
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