The elections are fast approaching and everyone is eager to know who will be elected to the highest seats in the land. But could it be possible that too much of our hope is on earthly leaders, and should we start hoping a little bit more for the finished work of Jesus Christ?
The Bible speaks of the Israelites once having the wrong attitude toward government. After decades upon decades of depending on the direct rule of God, the nation demanded that God give them a king.
In their demands, God gave them what they asked for, but deep down it was not the best that He knew for us. 1 Samuel 8:6 goes on to say, "But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, 'Give us a king to judge us.' And Samuel prayed to the Lord."
While earthly leaders are important and government plays a crucial role, we are told not to put too much of our hope on them because God has already given us a king in Jesus, and as long as He reigns in the hearts of men and we move by His Spirit, God's best will always be readily available for us.
Many things will change after the elections, but there will also be other things that will remain.
Leaders will still be imperfect
No matter who is in charge, they will always have flaws and weaknesses, and in those weakness we are to trust in God more. God promises in 2 Corinthians 12:9, "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'"
We will still be commanded to submit
Romans 13:1 commands us, "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God."
No matter who is in charge and no matter how awful they may seem, God has made them to govern and we are to submit readily as long as their commands do not go against God's. Even if your bet loses in the election, you will still be commanded to submit.
Many of our problems will still be there
Jesus once said in John 16:33 that as long as we are in this world, "we will have tribulation." Many of society's problems cannot be fixed by governing offices and can only be fixed by the transcendental and provident hand of God. We are to look to Him always ultimately for hope.
We will still have to fix most of our problems
It may be our leaders' jobs to lead this nation, but they cannot do it alone. We need to get involved. God calls us to play our part by working for the good of others and by praying. Our leaders may always be limited, but as long as we pray and seek God's face, He will heal our land.
No matter who's in charge of office seats, God will always be in control of everything, but He calls us to play our part and trust in Him.
