God is still in control, God is still in control, God is still in control, God is still in control, God is still in control, God is still in control, God is still in control, God is still in control…
No, these are not the lyrics to the latest praise and worship song. This is me reminding myself that no matter what happens this election day, God is still in control. Does that mean that after this election, it’s all smooth sailing from here on out? Certainly not. I’m a believer that sometimes God gives you what you want, regardless if it’s in your personal best interest. Some kings were put in place as a form of judgment. In fact, look at the conversational exchange when
1Sa 8:7 And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. 8 According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee. 9 Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them. 10 And Samuel told all the words of the LORD unto the people that asked of him a king. 11 And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots. 12 And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and will set them to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots. 13 And he will take your daughters to be confectionaries, and to be cooks, and to be bakers. 14 And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your oliveyards, even the best of them, and give them to his servants. 15 And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants. 16 And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work. 17 He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye shall be his servants. 18 And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; and the LORD will not hear you in that day.
The LORD told Samuel, they will take your sons and daughters and land and crops and animals for themselves. Are you willing to give that? “Give us a king, just like the other lands!” was their reply. Now here we are. Faced with our own election of our own king. And yes, God did appoint the first king of
Rom 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
Paul goes on to tell us to submit to the higher powers as they have been ordained by God. Do these higher powers always make the right decisions? Certainly not. Saul’s life ended in a tormented, bitter shambles. Look at what many rulers throughout history has done to the church. Even though, God was not dethroned by any of the earthly rulers. He is still on the throne and still in control. Where does that leave us?
1Ti 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
Voting may be our civil right, but prayer for the powers-that-be is our Christian duty. This does not mean all will be well in the land. That is for God to deal with. And no president elected will turn this nation into a “Christian Nation”. We do what we are commanded to do. God is still in control.
