Two weeks from today Americans will go to the polls to votefor our President. I received an email from someone who reads our blog, and she expressed her frustration with the presidential candidates. She is having difficulty deciding which candidate should receive her vote. Many of my fellow Christians are voicing the opinion that it is easier to abstain from voting than to choose between the lesser of two evils. I couldn’t disagree with them more!
As an American I believe that it is my God-given responsibility to vote. By not voting, by refusing to put my mark next to a candidate’s name, I would be taking the coward’s way out just because I am not particularly fond of either candidate. It is human to struggle before making a difficult choice on who to vote for, but it is wrong to avoid making that decision. If we cannot decide on our own, then I believe it is imperative that we fall on our knees before God and ask Him for wisdom. He promises in His word that anyone who lacks wisdom should ask it of God who will give it liberally. (James 1:5)
I would challenge every Christian in America who is considering staying home from the polls during this upcoming election, to seek God. Find out what He is saying to you about whether or not you should vote. Proverbs 21:1 says, The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes. To me this means that leadership may have a plan in their heart for how they are going to lead, what they plan to accomplish, BUT God has a bigger plan. So no matter who gets elected on November 6th it isn’t going to rock God’s boat, it isn’t going to knock God off his throne, and it isn’t going to bankrupt heaven. In the light of eternity it will be a mere blip of history. God’s ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. He has ways of accomplishing the impossible and bringing about His ultimate plan for all of mankind no matter who is President of the United States of America.
But that doesn’t mean that we can afford to take the approach that if God has it all under control, what difference does it make if I vote? I think that God makes it very clear throughout the Bible that He works through mankind to accomplish His will. Think about the stories of ancient Israel — how many times did the course of history change because one person stood up and made a difference? How many lives were changed and destinies fulfilled because one righteous person made the difficult choice to follow God? Noah saved all of mankind; Abraham became the father of many nations; Joseph provided food during a difficult famine; Moses led the Exodus; Joshua took possession of the Promised Land; Gideon led an army of 300 to victory; Elijah and Elisha brought miracles; David conquered Goliath! The list is endless, but they all have one common theme: these people trusted God AND they were obedient to do what He commanded them to do. They were men and women of action and purpose. They didn’t sit at home, wringing their hands waiting for someone else to make a difficult decision for them.
As an American Christian I have the privilege to vote, to voice my opinion, to have a say in the future of my government and my country, to make a difference for the future my children will inherit. If I do not cherish that privilege I feel that my children or grandchildren may not have that privilege. If I shirk my responsibility to vote because I don’t want to be responsible for choosing what I feel is the lesser of two evils, then I have essentially rejected the gift that has made America great. I have spurned the immense sacrifices that have been made so that I have the ability to step into a voting booth. That is not something I can live with. I have a responsibility to my forefathers, to my country, to my children and to my God that I take part and fulfill my obligation in the true democratic process we call elections by casting my ballot.
In choosing how to cast our vote, however, I feel there is one major issue we must all consider. Although there are a myriad of domestic issues that demand solutions, a much greater threat is a nuclear Iran. We are lying to ourselves if we think that Iran is only interested in launching nuclear weapons against Israel. They have made it abundantly clear that they will first target the Saturday people – the Jews, but their next target will be the Sunday people – the Christians. Whether or not you consider America a Christian nation, be assured that the Muslim world considers America a Christian nation. In this issue, if in no other, American and Israel face a common enemy.
As American Christians, we bring to the voting booth a wealth of values and beliefs that should affect our voting decision. As Christians who love the Bible, one of those values revolves around standing with Israel. Israel is not just another nation who has good relations with America. Israel is the country that God has selected as a homeland for His people and it is the land which God has chosen as the stage for redemption. And on top of that, Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East. In making our decision as to whom to vote for, we must consider which candidate will best understand America’s obligation to stand by Israel and to treat Israel as a cherished ally and friend.
I challenge each and every American Christian, no matter your politics, your religion, your doctrine or your creed — fall on your knees before God and seek His wisdom. Then GO VOTE!
Shalom,
Kimberly Troup
Director, US Office
CFOIC Heartland