Give us a King!

Vote!  Vote!  Vote! 

Everywhere I turn, someone is telling me to VOTE!  

I know it is pretty common during an election year, especially as it gets closer to election day, but it seems quite extreme this year. Does it seem like that to you? 

TV and social media ads are endless. Signs and billboards are everywhere. It even seems like the religious community has joined in as well. I’ve heard several popular pastors share their political views. Celebrities and athletes are also making their voices heard. Recently, during an NFL game commercial, players told the audience to get out and VOTE. One person even said, “it is the most important thing you will ever do in life.” What?!? While I agree that voting is important and a privilege that we should not take for granted, I do not believe it is the most important thing that a person could ever do in life. I can think of at least five things right off hand that are more important than voting for a US President.  

I honestly do not remember a time when the push to vote was so aggressive. People are completely fired up and passionate about their candidates, so much so they are ready to fight anyone who disagrees with them. I have seen several arguments, both in person and via social media that were just down right ugly. It is truly sad to witness – especially when it is adults (and Jesus followers) behaving this way. There was a time when most people simply voted. There wasn’t this constant need to discuss our political views with everyone and anyone all of the time.  In fact, it was out of respect for one another, that we did not discuss politics at all – particularly with people who didn’t share our same views. It actually used to be considered rude to do so. Today, it is quite different.  

There seems to be such a sense of urgency, as if our lives depend on a certain person being in office. I believe this sense of urgency comes from people: 1) lacking faith in God and 2) thinking that a President is THE answer to all of our problems.

People believe that having the right person (their person) in office will solve many of our problems to include: racism, the economy, police brutality, gun control, abortion laws, climate change, taxes, insurance coverage…even curing COVID-19. Can I be honest and just say….I highly doubt either of the current candidates is THE answer to these problems. In fact, I know that neither of these candidates is the answer to these problems. No one on Earth is. Both may be able to affect some change, but no man is our complete ANSWER. Seeing the misguided hope of so many people – placing their faith where it does not belong and in what will only disappoint – makes me sad. 

I am reminded of 1 Samuel, chapter 8, where the children of Israel demanded a king. Prior to that time, God was their King and He appointed Judges over the people to help govern. The judges served as mediators or liaisons, and provided some Godly wisdom when dealing with matters that affected the people. Ultimately God was their King. It was God who was guiding them and they were following.  After a while, that just wasn’t good enough for the people. They saw that other (ungodly) countries were doing it differently, and they wanted what they had. They wanted an earthly king, because they thought that would satisfy. Sound familiar?

Please read with me:  

1 Samuel 8:4-9 Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah; and they said to him, “Behold, you have grown old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint a king for us to judge us like all the nations.” But the thing was displeasing in the sight of Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” And Samuel prayed to the Lord. The Lord said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people in regard to all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being king over them. Like all the deeds which they have done since the day that I brought them up from Egypt even to this day—in that they have forsaken Me and served other gods—so they are doing to you also. Now then, listen to their voice; however, you shall solemnly warn them and tell them of the procedure of the king who will reign over them.”  

God did give the people what they wanted, but did you see what He says?  He says that the people were rejecting HIM. Ultimately their strong desire to have an earthly king revealed their lack of trust and reliance on God, and instead revealed their trust in man (who cannot save). God also told Samuel to warn the people – let them know that certain things will be required of them, and they won’t like having a king. Isn’t God gracious?  Always providing us with information and warnings ahead of time. Do we listen? Not usually, as it was in this case. They continued to demand a king. 

1 Samuel 8:19-22 Nevertheless, the people refused to listen to the voice of Samuel, and they said, “No, but there shall be a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations, that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.” Now after Samuel had heard all the words of the people, he repeated them in the Lord’s hearing. The Lord said to Samuel, “Listen to their voice and appoint them a king”…..

Saul eventually became the first king of Israel and there were many other kings after him. Some good, some okay and some horrible. The people of Israel went through some extremely difficult times – many of those a result of whoever was king at the time. You see, anytime we choose a man as our answer, rather than God we will have issues. There is not a human on Earth who has enough wisdom to lead right 100% of the time, nor be everything to all people, all of the time. That is only something that Jesus can do. 

Eventually the people of Israel were unhappy again, and this pattern continued for many years.  It is actually the same thing that we do today.  We want something, we get it, we’re happy for a moment, then unhappy again.  Someone takes office, we don’t like it, we cry and pout and then push to have someone better elected…..and so on and so on. 

I can honestly say that my life has never changed drastically based on who has been in office. Has yours? I’ve lived long enough to see several republicans and democrats in office, and while it wasn’t always the person that I voted for – I survived their term(s). Sure my pay and taxes changed here and there, we experienced a few wars, government shutdowns, and some laws were passed that I didn’t necessarily agree with, etc. but I am still here. I am still alive and doing well. I respect the position of President and will respect the person in office whether I voted for them or not. Ultimately, God is in control. 

Please don’t misunderstand – I am not bashing the candidates, nor am I saying that you shouldn’t vote. By all means, vote! And not for a Savior, because there is only One, Jesus! We should vote based on what matters to us, but our fellow Amercians have the right to do the same…and guess what?  Their vote may differ from yours, and that is okay. If a person who I did not vote for gets in office this year or any other year for that matter, it will not change my response, and it shouldn’t change yours either. Do not fear. Do not be angry and bitter. Simply respect the choice that has been made and put your trust in God, who IS your answer. Human leaders will fail us, but God never will. 

That being said, I’d just like to encourage you. Don’t be discouraged by politics or by the state of our country, or the world for that matter. If you are a follower of Christ, this Earth is temporal and we are just passing through until we get to our Heavenly home. Don’t lose hope or get caught up in things on Earth, when God tells us to keep our minds on things above.

And lastly, may we remember that God only requires one thing of us: to Love Him and love our neighbor as ourself (even if they support a different political party than you do).  

Romans: 13:1 Every person is to be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.  

Isaiah 9:6 For a Child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.  

Psalm 146:3-4 Do not trust in princes, in mortal man, in whom there is no salvation.His spirit departs, he returns to the earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.  

Colossians 3:3 Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth.  

Love, Melissa