Some Election Day Thoughts

“If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people, and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land,” (2 Chronicles 17:13-14 NASB).

My house is a mess right now because of some remodeling projects we have going on, which have displaced the normal order of things.

Our world is a mess right now because some things are going on—things that have displaced the normal order—and it requires more than just a good President to lead us out of the darkness. 

We need God. We need Jesus. Without the guidance of our heavenly Father, without the rescue of Jesus Christ, we are lost. Period. 

When I got up this morning, it was hard to face the mess. Added to the chaos is the leftover nonperishable groceries that I left out on the table and counters in the kitchen, waiting to put them away today because my back was hurting.

Running a country is a task that most of us can’t begin to comprehend. Even those who are vying for the job can’t comprehend the enormity of what lies before them, left for them to "put away" and fix.

How can we do anything without Jesus? Without holding tightly to the One who knows the future? The One who is outside of all time and its events?

On a much grander scale than mine, the new President – whomever it may be – will start their first day looking at a big mess. Our Country needs help. We need God to show us how to go forward. We are made for relationship, and we need each other. We thrive when we cooperate. We grow when we put each other first and go the extra mile.

Regardless of your political leanings and strongly held opinions about both candidates, one thing is true:  God knows the outcome of today’s election. He’s already there at the end of today, and at the end of all days. Nothing surprises Him.

And regardless of your opinion about the outcome of our election, as Christians – those who believe in and follow the Christ – we are required to respect, and to pray, for our President, and all of our leaders.

“Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God,” (Romans 13:1 NASB).

 “First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men,  for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time ... Therefore I want [you] to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension,” (1 Timothy 2:1-8, NASB).

 May God give you wisdom as you cast your vote. And may God have mercy on the United States of America.