“The sentence is by the decree of the watchers, the decision by the word of the holy ones, to the end that the living may know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will and sets over it the lowliest of men… And you shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.”
Daniel 4:17,32
I made a statement Sunday (11/3/24) regarding who wins the presidential election this week that “it doesn’t matter.” I stand by that (based on Daniel 4), but let me clarify.
First of all, the election itself very much does matter. Christians getting out to vote is our civic responsibility. If godly people do nothing, evil will advance. Nowhere is this more plain than with Amendment 4. Florida is currently one of the more pro-life states in the union. If Amendment 4 passes, we will become one of the most aggressively pro-abortion states. It is the duty of all Christ-followers and all people of conscience to stand up for the most vulnerable, particularly the unborn.
Secondly, wisely choosing our civic leaders matters. We are very blessed to live in a democratic republic with free elections and representative government. Each eligible voter shares responsibility for the local officials, school board, judges, law enforcement and the state and national leaders for whom we cast ballots. To not vote in this case is to abdicate that responsibility, leaving these important decisions to others who may not share your values and priorities (and those of the Lord).
Third, how we respond to the election definitely matters. Regardless of who wins the presidential race and what party controls congress, the church has an opportunity to be a stabilizing voice for peace and unity. Because our hope is not in any human leader or political party, but is in Christ above all, we can maintain a positive spirit and stand against voices for chaos and revolution.
And that’s the central point here: our faith is in Jesus Christ, the King of all Kings.
“Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.”
1 Peter 2:13-17
Because we serve Christ the King, we are free from all other authorities. We can give honor to any human leader, even the likes of Nero in the first century and Nebuchadnezzar in 605 B.C. Ultimately we are not under the authority of any human, for we answer to the Lord of heaven and earth who “upholds the universe by the word of his power” (Heb. 1:3).
So we do our homework. We cast our votes. We pray for a safe and fair election.
And we don’t worry about the results. Because in a very real sense, it doesn’t matter who wins as president or who controls congress. We know who holds the universe in the palm of His hand. We trust in His sovereign plans for us and for all of history.
“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings…”
Daniel 2:20-21
Now is a good time to start reading the book of Daniel, which will be our focus of study for December as we reflect on the King who came in humility at Christmas but rose in victory on Easter Sunday.
“As you saw the iron mixed with soft clay, so they will mix with one another in marriage, but they will not hold together, just as iron does not mix with clay. And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever.”
Daniel 2:43-44
All earthly kingdoms will ultimately fall and fail. But King Jesus reigns forever and His kingdom will never end. We are blessed to be citizens (or residents) of the U.S.A., but our highest allegiance is not to this country but rather to our true King and His everlasting kingdom.
Paul could have written this to us today regarding the current election cycle:
“For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.”
Philippians 3:18-31
So don’t panic. Don’t worry. Do your part. Pray. And rest in the sovereign goodness of the Lord Jesus Christ.