It does only if God, Himself, is waiting to see who our electoral system favors to determine our President for the next four years. The Bible is clear about that. He is not dependent on us for anything: “But our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases” (Psalm 115:3). That means that God Himself “… removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding” (Daniel 2:21).
So, we can know for sure that whoever wins the election and is our next President, God has raised him up and wants him to be President, no matter whom you voted for! “My plans will never fail, I will do everything I intend to do. I have spoken, and it will be done” (Isaiah 46:10, 11), We, His creatures, will never know nor understand for sure why God chose who He did, but we can know that He did! Our job, as a little child in God’s kingdom, is not to say to God, “Why, Daddy, why?“ but only, “Yes, Daddy, yes!”
Does that make my vote meaningless? No, it does not. He has redeemed us for such a time as this. One third of our reason for being on the earth is to be involved in God’s great eternal purpose. We are to be human vessels who naturally, unconsciously, spontaneously extend His glory and rule over the whole earth, “as the waters cover the sea” (Habakkuk 2:14).
First, He is at work in our hearts to make us like Jesus Christ. Second, while He is doing that, He simultaneously, and again unconsciously, is using our gifts and abilities to extend His rule according to His law. He does this in the “individual world” that surrounds each of us. As our influence grows, more authority is naturally given to us, and the rule of God is extended. The Lord’s prayer is answered: “May your kingdom come. May your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10).
This vision does not make me not vote; it makes me excited to vote! I am experiencing what I was created for—participating in one facet of ruling over the earth—politics. In our political process, ruling begins by voting, which, in our constitutional republic, is how one begins to rule in the civil sphere.
By tonight we probably will know who God has raised up to be President of the United States. I will be encouraged, optimistic, and enthusiastic if it is Trump. I will be excited if it is Biden.
How could a convinced Trump voter be excited if Biden wins the election? It’s because I can’t wait to see what God will do with our country, a nation that began in 1620 with a vision of being a godly, kingdom-extending country (a “shining city on a hill”). It has degenerated gradually over 300 years to a country that has a political party that now has become a de facto secular party and is moving rapidly to embrace Cultural Marxism as its religion.
What does that mean for the church? Marxism in control always means persecution for the church, and we can see the obvious negative attitude of the Democrats toward the church during the Coronavirus pandemic. The Democratic Platform for this election, recently released, leaves little doubt. It has embraced “Socialism” (Cultural Marxism), with the intent to implement it fully if they win the Presidency and control of both Houses of Congress.
What does the Bible say about our attitude toward an antagonistic civil government? Over and over, Paul tells us to rejoice continually in the presence of persecution from both the Jews as well as the Romans, for “We also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:3-5).
If Biden wins, we will be given the opportunity to “love our enemies,” and more. Jesus commands us in Matthew 5:44: “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.” That’s hard enough now, but what if our enemies have complete authority over us? We will desperately need God to bless us with supernatural power to love them.
God has two kinds of blessing for His children—1.) obvious blessing—things that happen to me that I can see clearly are helpful, enjoyable, and positive, i.e. Trump winning tomorrow.
Also God gives me— 2.) severe blessing—blessings that are not so easy to see, but the Bible says they are blessings nonetheless, i.e. Biden winning tomorrow and persecution enveloping the church. Loving my enemies will suddenly no longer be theoretical.
Persecution historically has sown the seeds for dynamic spiritual growth for God’s church. How will we respond? Those seeds explode in growth when “watered by the blood of the martyrs.” We have had little opportunity to experience that in the USA.
However, If Biden wins, I expect to see the church shaken to its core. Will we knuckle under to obey what the government tells us to do and even to say? Some churches are already being called hate groups by some progressive organizations if they preach a biblical view of controversial issues that is not “politically correct.”.
Some Christians are saying that those who are sounding this kind of warning are spreading fake news and are extremists, conspiracy theorists or fearmongers. I am saying that most of those Christians who say that are not aware that this is a first-time problem in our country. All of our the foundational, culture-determining institutions of our nation (education, the arts, the judiciary, etc.), are now, in most cases, under the control of the Cultural Marxist. Trump knows that and will fight in resistance. Biden will not and is instead complicit.
So, tonight we will have some indication of what God is doing. I will be encouraged, optimistic and enthusiastic, or I will be excited tonight, I can’t wait to see which!
4 Comments
Thank you! Thank you for the badly needed reminder of reason…
…to feel hope and joy
…to consider the ever-growing need to love my enemies as a type of blessing
…and to seek God all the more for supernatural power.
I also needed these reminders for some personal tribulations I’m going through. I’m thankful to have a Godly friend at the other end of the keyboard.
Thank you for all your work!
What a blessing, Anita! Thanks so much for your kind words.
Jonathan was so encouraged by this post he mentioned it to me this morning as we prayed together… And as I was saying to him, if Biden gets in I have a dread and an excitement. I dread the changes that will follow but will be excited if this is what God knows we need to keep the church on our knees clinging to the one who has all power, all wisdom, And who knows the plans he has for us, plans not to harm but for good, to give us a future & a hope in our final outcome.
Thank you for beautifully spelling out but I had a hard time articulating before reading this.
As I have recently been avidly reading and begun praying through the VOICE OF THE MARTYRS monthly magazines, I see how the church in America could benefit from persecution. We were hoping the church here could advance the KINGDOM without it. It’s hard not to fear for our grandkids. I will pray and seek to prepare them. Thank you Lord for being “in charge.”