What is the view from my place of this upcoming election? My convictions are rooted in Romans 13:1, which instructs me that “there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” Therefore, whoever wins this election will be “God’s man” or “God’s woman.” The same God who directed Samuel to anoint David, a man after God’s own heart, had centuries earlier raised up the pharaoh who oppressed the Lord’s people in Egypt. Of that pharaoh, the Lord said, “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display My power in you and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth” (Romans 9:17). The Lord displayed His power and exalted His name through a ruler who openly and stubbornly defied Him—a ruler so consumed by personal pride that he was willing to sacrifice his entire country. This ruler was the son of the pharaoh who had ordered the death of all newborn Israelite babies.
This brings to mind another powerful moment in biblical history. “When Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in His hand. Joshua approached Him and asked, ‘Are You for us or for our enemies?’ ‘Neither,’ He replied. ‘I have now come as Commander of the LORD’s army.’ Then Joshua fell facedown in reverence and asked Him, ‘What does my Lord have to say to His servant?’ The Commander of the LORD’s army replied, ‘Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.’ And Joshua did so” (Joshua 5:13-15).
The Lord was on neither “side” because He has His own agenda, and whether through compliance or defiance to His word, His purposes will prevail. I believe He also wants us, like Joshua, to remove our sandals—our worldly perspectives or idolatry of ideology—and worship Him as the only Sovereign of this present world and the King of the world to come.
Yes, I have my own political views and preferences, and I care passionately about the upcoming election. But whatever the outcome, no matter who takes the oath of office on January 20, 2025, my prayer is that all the Lord’s people will remove their sandals and worship Him. Because God will still reign, and His agenda will prevail – just as it always has.
Text: Romans 13:1 – “There is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.”
1. Divine Rule over Earthly Thrones
- “God’s man” or “God’s woman” doesn’t mean godly man or godly woman. It means God-permitted for God’s purposes.
- Samuel anointing David (1 Samuel 16:1-13)
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- David, the most unlikely of the sons of Jesse but a man after God’s own heart, chosen by God.
- Pharaoh in Egypt (Exodus 9:16)
- God raised Pharaoh to display His power and proclaim His name.
- Pharaoh’s defiance and pride led to the display of God’s might.
- Jesus: John 19:10-11 (To Pilate) “You would have no authority over Me if it were not given to you from above.
God’s sovereignty surpasses all earthly authority, and He uses various leaders and circumstances to fulfill His divine purposes.
2. Heaven’s Plan versus Earthly Schemes
- Joshua’s Encounter: Joshua 5:13-15
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- Joshua got it. This is not my show. “What message does my Lord have for His servant?”
- We need to realize this is not our show. God has His own agenda.
- That’s why some things He does or doesn’t do, puzzle us and sometimes hang us up. It makes total sense to us that He should do it our way.
- Peter – “This will never happen to You, Jesus.” But Jesus recognized Satan’s attempt to focus Peter and Jesus on man’s interests instead of God’s.
- Removing our sandals
- Letting go of worldly perspectives and idolatry of ideology.
- God is a free agent. He is not contracted to anybody’s agenda.
- So removing our sandals means worshiping God as the only Sovereign and this world is His project!
Our job is to align with God’s divine plan and not trust in our limited earthly perspectives.
III. Faith Over Fear in Election Seasons
- Let us not be negligent in our civic duty to vote. Elections do have consequences. We do have a say in the type of governance we want. I do.
- But my destiny does not rest in the outcome. I believe, regardless of the election outcome, God’s reign and agenda prevail.
- Instead of our own agendas and ideology my prayer is that as believers, on November 6th we will worship instead of fret. And praise God. And place our trust in His sovereignty.
- When this election is over, we will still be brothers and sisters in Christ. When this world passes away there will be no elections. The Lord will reign forever and ever.
We need to invest in maintaining faith and unity, trusting in God’s ultimate plan, and keeping an eternal perspective beyond earthly elections.
Conclusion:
- Reflection: How can we trust God’s sovereignty in our current political climate?
- Remove our sandals, worship God, and trust in His ultimate plan.
Scripture passages to meditate upon:
- Isaiah 14:24 – “The LORD Almighty has sworn, ‘Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will happen.'”
- Proverbs 3:5 – Trust in the Lord with all Your heart and do not lean on Your own understanding.
- Psalm 46:10 – Cease striving and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.
- Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
See Idolatry of Ideology: https://www.valleybrook.church/idolatry-of-ideology/
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