A Christian Response to the Election
November 6, 2008

There are many who, like me, worked and prayed for Obama's defeat. On the other hand, I've got evangelical friends who worked and prayed for his victory. And now with the election behind us, where do we go from here?

I think we need to begin by applauding the magnitude of what Obama has accomplished. He is the first African American to be elected to the highest office in the land. And he ran a brilliant campaign.

And yet for me his election stings. I suspect it will for awhile.

So where do I go from here? When the president isn't a man of my choosing, I'm forced to remember that in Daniel 2:21 we're told it is God who, "removes kings, and establishes kings." While over 100 million Americans voted, and in doing so expressed their will, ultimately God chose who would serve as the President of our country. He has a purpose for the election of Obama. And off course, nobody knows what that purpose might be. We may never know. But we can know that Paul commanded us to submit to governing authorities (Romans 13:1). He also told us to pray for kings and those in authority so, "we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness" (1 Timothy 2:1).

I remember the occasion when David and three thousand of his troops were running from King Saul. Under the cover of darkness, David and Abishai, one of his mighty men, stealthily entered the king's camp. Surrounded by his sleeping men, the king slept as soundly as a baby.

Abishai saw the moment as a divine appointment. "Today God has delivered your enemy into your hands," he said (1 Samuel 26:8). He pleaded with David to let him kill the king with a single thrust of is spear. "I won't strike him twice," he said.

Overhead the stars blinked, in the distance a wolf howled. Much closer angels leaned forward and watched as David contemplated Abishai's request. I wonder what ran through David's mind in the moment between hearing and answering. Perhaps he thought of Saul's ruthless and immoral wrongs committed against him.

Whether or not David entertained such thoughts we'll never know. What we do know is that the leader of the mighty men told Abishai, "Don't destroy him! Who can lay a hand on the Lord's anointed and be guiltless?" (1 Samuel 26:9). Brothers, we have a responsibility to do all we can to assure the success of our new president elect. We must pray for him and for his success. If we disagree with him and his policies, thank God, we live in a country where our disagreement can be expressed. And we must do so.

While I will no doubt continue to feel deep concern about the direction of our country, I have no doubt about who holds our country in his hands.