Did you know that once upon a time in America, candidates for public office were not determined until after the conventions met during the summer prior to the November elections? Did you know that once upon a time in America, candidates thought it undignified to be involved in campaigning?

Times have changed. But it may still be summer before we know who will be the Democratic and Republican candidates for the office of President of the US. Even the so-called experts are having a hard time getting their pre-election prognostications correct.
 

A few of you have expressed to me your concern about who will be our next president. I understand. 

But at the same time we must rest with quiet confidence in knowing that our Lord rules over those whom He raises up to govern, accomplishing in and through them His good purposes for us as individuals, as families, as a church, and as a nation.

Of course, what makes us nervous, is thinking about what His good purposes for us might entail. We are people who have been greatly blessed. We know that to whom much is given from them much is expected. And we know how miserably we have failed as individuals, as families, as a church and as a nation to live up to God’s standards of righteousness. And so we tremble.

         
Which is why when we pray about the political process, we should first acknowledge His sovereign rule over us; then confess to Him our sins as individuals, as families, as a church, and as a nation; then plead with Him not to treat us as we deserve; and finally beg Him to send the Holy Spirit to impact us with the truth of His Gospel.

           
During the Civil War, Charles Hodge, professor of theology at Princeton Seminary, observed that “the distribution of good and evil in this world to individuals, churches, or nations is not determined by the principles of justice, but according to the wise and benevolent sovereignty of God . . . the orderings of his providence are not determined by justice, but by mysterious wisdom for the accomplishment of higher ends than mere punishment or reward.”

           
I don’t know who our next president will be. But I do know Who sits upon the throne. And it is to Him, working in and through people like you and me, that we must look – not to Democrats or Republicans – but to followers of Jesus Christ to accomplish in this world that which is for our temporal good and eternal blessing.

         
The heart of the matter is a matter of the heart. Only God can take sons of Adam and daughters of Eve and recreate them into image bearers of Him, into people who hate evil, love good, and are eager to see justice accomplished (Amos 5.15); a people who act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with their God (Micah 6.8); a people in and through whom He can accomplish great and wonderful things that are of both temporal and eternal advantage to others, as well as honoring to the King of kings and Lord or lords.

-Pastor Caines