I know who I’m voting for. Do you?
That’s often one of the most provocative questions that gets asked these days. We all have our reasons for who we’re going to vote for. Often times, we think of our vote cast as for the lesser of two evils. No one person running for president will ever hold every one of the views we feel are personally important. But what if there were a candidate who did?
What if I told you there was the perfect candidate? What if I told you there was someone you could cast your vote for who would change our nation in just the right ways, benefitting all people, not just a small, wealthy constituency? What if there was a candidate who approved of people making lots of money in honest ways while never letting a poor person fall through the cracks? Would you vote for him?
I know I will.
You’re not stupid. You know I’m talking about God. But you’re probably thinking I’m the stupid, naive one. I assure you I’m not.
Voting for God will never disappoint. Let’s take a look at what God has been able to do in the past to illustrate what I’m talking about.
King David
God put in place a leader named David whom everyone was judged by after him. He was Israel’s proverbial George Washington. He led the nation of Israel to it’s greatest height in history. Under David’s leadership Israel finally took every parcel of land promised by God to Moses. Politically, militarily and financially Israel was supremely blessed. Solomon inherited the best situation imaginable from David and reigned in peace for decades.
David was human and he had his faults and problems, but in all cases David’s love for God and humility allowed him to perpetually submit to God’s leadership. But if he was the plumb-line everyone else would be judged by, how did God do with some of the other kings? (David’s story is found mainly in 2 Samuel–the whole book. Read the whole thing, it’s worth it!)
King Manasseh
Let’s look at King Manasseh of Judah. He was the most wicked king in the nation’s history. Scripture tells us he filled the streets with innocent blood. He did more wickedly than the nations around Israel and before them. Israel was in a time of national crisis. I’m sure the faithful were wishing for David at that point–a perfect leader to step in and rescue them. But they would have been in the wrong.
God had a better plan. He was patient and he warned Manasseh, and Manasseh repented. The leader at that moment Israel needed wasn’t David, but Manasseh–the most wicked, vile ruler they’d ever known. Manasseh repented so wholeheartedly that God restored Judah with Manasseh at the helm. (see Manasseh’s full story in 2 Chronicles 33)
Your Vote Counts!
My point is this: don’t vote for the lesser of two evils. Vote for the greatest Good the universe knows. Vote for God. Take our nation before the Almighty in prayer. He hears and H reacts to our pleas. We don’t have a David today seeking political office. We don’t even have a George Washington. I’m pretty sure that our political cadre these days would lie and spin the cherry tree getting cut down with all their might. But we don’t have to settle for them. We have one better.
Instead of wishing this political season that we had better choices, exercise your privilege to vote by casting it for the One who makes no mistakes. Ask God to fashion for us a leader who will follow Him. Ask God for repentance, for our nation to turn to Him and Him alone.
I’m voting for God this November. I’ll be selecting a man on a ballot at my polling place, but my true choice won’t be reflected in which “chad” may or may not be left hanging. My choice will lie more in the ballot I cast continually in my prayers.
They never need a recount.
Who are you voting for this year?
But can a political system based on following a particular Christian monotheistic vision of God be truly pluralistic? How can America be a society living in equality if the beliefs of some are enshrined in the political system of all?
When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan. Proverbs 29:2
That’s true no matter what religious system is in control. There’s never been a nation that didn’t have some religion or philosophy dominate. I think the more important issue is whether a nation is ruled by the honest and righteous, regardless of religious affiliation. And that’s what God says in scripture, too.