I am disappointed after the election . . . but not for the reasons you may think. I readily admit that I voted for McCain/Palin. I believe they most closely – though not perfectly – represent my values and worldview. However, their defeat and President-Elect Obama's victory is not at the core of my disappointment. I am disappointed because apparently a good number of born again believers seem to me overly upset, even fatalistically so, at the outcome of the election. Like practical idolaters, they believe that somehow a politician (one likeminded to them) is the answer to our problems. They fail to recognize in the election and in the days ahead that God is sovereign and omnipotent.
Regardless of whether your candidate won or lost, the Bible gives us some clear teaching about how we are to move forward in light of this change in leadership in our country.
First, let's be respectful. We all need to recognize and remember that ALL human authority serves at the discretion of a sovereign God who ordains "the powers that be" and who guides both the head and heart of those in charge as well as the surrounding circumstances in which all leaders lead. (Romans 13:1-3; Proverbs 21:1) Because all leaders hold their position with God's permission, those in office should not be so vaulted as to think more highly of themselves than they ought, and others who oppose those in office should not think so lowly of them as to disrespect the sovereignty of God. Now, by respect, do I mean we should support everything they say and propose? By all means, no! But even in disagreement we can be respectful. Read the book of Daniel sometime and you can learn how to respectfully disagree with an authority figure and eventually win their favor.
Second, let's be prayerful. God's Word charges us with the responsibility to pray for our leaders, since they are responsible for our welfare, and our prayers for them are good and acceptable in God's eyes. (1 Timothy 2:1-3). Pray that our leaders will make decisions wise beyond their abilities and understanding. Pray that God will miraculously move in their hearts so that our lives can be peaceful, godly, and reverent, as He desires. If you are not willing to pray for your leaders, and pray in a positive frame of mind I might add, then you are disobedient to God.
Finally, let's be faithful. Jesus encourages us to "render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's. (Mark 12:17) We owe our leaders prayer and respect. To do that is to be obedient to God and by doing so render to Him what is His. At the same time, should any leader ever demand we compromise the clear teaching of God's Word, then – and only then – do we have permission to disobey our leaders. And even in those cases we must disobey humbly and prayerfully.
You see, because the problems in our country are moral and not political, the solution is not ideology but theology. If more of us were as concerned about our personal holiness and integrity as we were about the supposed lack thereof in someone else, wouldn't the world be a better place? If we shared the gospel of Christ with the same urgency we campaigned for our candidate, wouldn't the world be a better place? If we believed the promises of God with the same confidence we believe the stump speech of our candidate, wouldn't the world be a better place?
If you think because Barack Obama won, that in four years (or even in eight) all of our problems will be solved, then you are placing your trust in the wrong man. Even if you believed that had McCain won all our problems would be solved, you would be woefully wrong. Our hope is in Jesus. Fellow Americans, trust God, live for Him, let your lights shine.
The One who leads me is not elected; He received His position by Divine Right.
The One in whom I trust rides neither a donkey nor an elephant. In fact, the Book tells me the next time I see Him, He will be riding a white horse.
Allow me to paraphrase Psalm 20:7:
Some trust in donkeys, some trust in elephants;
But we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
