Is choosing President up to us?

 

No, this is not going to be a political post. I realized something very important immediately after Donald Trump was voted president in November 2016. If I am called to make disciples of all nations, I can't do that by sowing political discord on social media. Boldly identifying as a republican or democrat reduced my ministry by 50%.  The amount of hatred and division in our country is so sad and we cannot figure out how to love someone and still disagree with their politics, their lifestyle, and their beliefs. I hear Christians repeat, love the sinner and hate the sin. But, in practice many people haven't figured out how to love the sinner, or specifically, they have not learned to love people they disagree with. 

And here we are again. We are about to enter into another bitterly divisive presidential election cycle. We haven't even held a convention, but the stage is set and in a month we will see the spectacle begin with the first presidential debate. If you want to debate election interference read this:

"Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished." (Romans 13:1-2)

God appointed King Nebuchadnezzar to lead Babylon. He ordained it and he gave him the power and authority to defeat Israel, take God's people into exile, and destroy the temple and the holy city. God used this evil ruler, this people that sacrificed their own children for his purposes. In the book of Daniel, we find Dainel and his friends were not resistant or combative with their captors. They willingly submitted to be trained and to serve. They earned high respect from all the Babylonian leaders. They definitely disagreed with this evil nation, yet they served and there is no evidence of them being militant in their defiance. AND they accepted any punishment they received if they could not obey the law because of their faith. 

But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods. Now God had given the chief of staff both respect and affection for Daniel. But he responded, 'I am afraid of my lord the king, who has ordered that you eat this food and wine. If you become pale and thin compared to the other youths your age, I am afriad the king will have me beheaded.' Daniel spoke with the attendant who had been appointed by their chief of staff to look after Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. 'Please test us for ten days on a diet of vegetables and water,' Danield said, 'At the end of the ten days, see how se look compared to the other young men who are eating the king's food. Then make your decision in light of what you see.'" (Daniel 1:8-13) 

They knew they could not disobey God, but they respectfully offered and acceptable alternative an because they were not arrogant, boldly defiant, they were give a chance. What would have happened if they would have been publicly resistant, protested and made the lives of their captors miserable? Yes, you know it would not have ended well. Instead they worked within the system to bring about glory to God.

Our nation is no different. God will appoint who he wants as president. He will institute the government he chooses and it will work all for his glory. We are called to submit and support even if the government is evil. We are called to represent the Lord well. We are asked, even if thrown in a fiery furnace to accept consequences and punishment. 

I know this will not be popular. God appointed Donald Trump in the 2016 election and he appointed Joe Biden in 2020. (Now that I have equally offended everyone,.. lol!) Who will God choose in 2024? Yes, I will participate. I will vote as I am called to do. I will pray about my choices for my leaders. I trust that God is still in control and He is still sovereign.

I will not let my choices be divisive. I will not let my politics keep me from fulfilling the commandments of Jesus Christ. The greatest commandments:

" Jesus replied, 'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.'" (Matthew 22:37-40)

Like Daniel and his friends we will submit and await the opportunity to show God's glory!!