309 – The Biblical View on Voting

#faithbites #faithjourney Voting

Tomorrow is Election Day in the United States. It’s a chance for us to vote for our next set of leaders. Many are disillusioned with the voting process, our government, and how the country is going. Many think if you don’t vote, the country is going to die. Some think if you vote for the wrong person, the country is going to die. I have encouraged many people to vote and have voted every time I have been able. (I don’t think I voted in primaries back in the day, but I can’t honestly remember).

This post isn’t to encourage or guilt people into voting. This post is about faith, as they all are, and what our faith tells us about voting, electing our leaders, and being participating citizens. If you chose to vote, I will love you. If you choce to vote for someone I don’t like, I will love you. If you chose not to vote, I will love you.

Scripture

• Choose for your tribes wise, understanding, and experienced men, and I will appoint them as your heads.’ – Deuteronomy 1:13
• He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; – Daniel 2:21
• Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. – Exodus 18:21
• First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. – 1 Timothy 2:1-2

Reflection

After the last presidential election, my daughter wasn’t happy with the results, as many of us weren’t. I asked her who was King of Kings and Lord of Lords. She pointed up to the heavens. That’s what our faith tells us. That God appoints people as our heads after we choice wise, understanding, and experienced men. (Yes, this is now men and women). At the same time, we see that God removes and adds kings, he also wants us to choose men from all people. This isn’t limited to the rich or to one party or one ideology. We should select people who fear God, are trustworthy and hate a bribe.

We should partake in the process that God has laid out. Choosing wise people to lead us, and then pray for them. Pray that they serve God so that we may all lead a peaceful, quiet, godly, and dignified life. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t seek a peaceful and dignified life. I know people who have differences of opinions on what that should look like. But if we look to God for direction, pray, and ask for guidance, then he will bless our leaders and appoint them as heads.

I don’t know what tomorrow will bring. I know that some will be happy and some will be upset. Some people will get what they want and others will not. As always I pray for our country, for our citizens, and our leaders. I don’t believe that one election will be the end of our country but how we participate and what happens time after time can set a course that is follow’s God’s path or doesn’t. It’s up to us to decide.

Charge

Personally, I hope everyone votes. I hope that everyone feels that they have a voice and a place in our system. The charge today is not to vote, but rather to pray for our country, for our leaders, and our people. Seek God’s guidance for how we leave Tuesday behind and live on Wednesday.

Lord, I pray for your people. Help them to choose the path that is best for them, voting or not voting. If voting is the path for them, help them chose the right people that will lead according to your will.