His Sovereignty Is Forever

On the eve of the 2012 presidential election in the United States of America, there is tangible electricity coursing through our nation in anticipation of the appointment of the country’s 45th Commander in Chief.  Pomp and circumstance will soon mark the end of a long, exhausting, and expensive election season. 

I would be lying if I didn’t admit to being nervous.  Not the kind of nervousness when anticipating the results of a Super Bowl, where my favorite football team was on the field but even the best team can be beat on any given Sunday.  This is more of a hot coal in the pit of my stomach type of nerves.   

I’ve had to ask myself, “why?”

Certainly the stakes couldn’t be higher for families in our nation.  There are clear, fundamental differences in the candidates’ positions on defending the sanctity of life, biblical marriages, religious liberties and plans for how to work back from an economic slide that has decimated our country’s global position.  For these reasons, we should all be engaged and very, very concerned about the election outcome.  For God’s sake brothers and sisters, exercise your right and vote if you haven’t already!

Then there’s the “me” part of the equation.  While usually politically opinionated, this is the first presidential election when my immediate family and I, together, have been mobilized for the cause.  We’ve read, listened, watched, and studied. We have talked about the issues and choices at hand with those who would listen.  We’ve donned the signs and bumper stickers and attended victory rallies.  Been there, bought the t-shirt and worn it.

Unexpectedly, our support for Mitt Romney and his plan for America became a personal issue very quickly, putting our family at odds with other family members, friends, clients and strangers.  We’ve been given rude salute, shouted at, and my sticker-laden vehicle was even vandalized.

So what does this have to do with the fatherhood challenge? It has everything to do with what happens next.

As the pastor of the church we attend reminded us yesterday in a teaching series on parenting, my three sons are watching their mom and I - especially now.  Through our behavior, in our countenance, and in what and how we pray our kids will learn lessons about victory or defeat, elation or disappointment, community or division, about real patriotism and love of country.  And I thought all that was left to do was vote!

I pray for new leadership in America and for the restoration of the Christian heritage that made this country truly great.  That is MY prayer.  But far more importantly, I trust God.  So now, before the election is decided, I focus on the greater lesson before us and the reason that my nerves are simply a waste of energy.  I borrow from columnist Joel Hilliker and his article, “Why We Should Pray For The President.”

"1 Peter 2:13 tells us to 'Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake.'  For whose sake?  The Lord’s.

Why?  So we learn to submit to government.  It will be much easier to submit to a loving God if we learn to submit to a hard boss.  We all must learn the lesson of submitting to government even if it is not being applied correctly.

Look at Christ’s example.  He put Himself totally in His Father’s hands, knowing God was in control of everything.  When He came before Pilate, He didn’t revile—He submitted Himself to that authority.  He knew that Pilate had no power but what God gave him, and that everything occurs in accordance with God’s ultimate purpose (verses 22-23; John 19:10-11).

If we can learn this lesson of submitting to whomever God puts over us in this world, it will tremendously help us in our relationship with our heavenly Father.  It will, in fact, prepare us for the Kingdom of God.”

The right to publicly and passionately agree or disagree on the road to representing and defending our values is an incredible privilege that most of the people on earth do not share.  In a mostly civil way, Americans have engaged in the freedoms that defines our republic and sets us apart as “one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

May we each pledge allegiance, under God, to the United States of America and support in faith the leadership He allows.  May we commit to patriotism and teach our children love and respect for our country, regardless of the election outcome.  May we live in the peace of knowing that the Lord’s will is perfect and that His sovereignty is forever.


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