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Heaven's Endorsement
Everyday newspapers and television broadcasts run some byline about a presidential hopeful. Blogs pop up all over the Internet inviting people to share their viewpoints about the candidates and the issues. Then there are strategically placed billboards along the roadside and campaign signs dotting front lawns and street corners. It is clearly an election year, and November 4 is right around the corner. Each candidate is scurrying around hoping to secure your vote. Which political party do you want in power? Which candidate do you think is the best man or woman for the job?
Have you ever wondered if Heaven endorses a particular party? If Jesus were living on earth today as a United States citizen, would He be a Democrat, Independent, or a Republican? Which candidate on this year’s campaign trail would He support? The Bible gives a host of qualities a president should possess as well as the duties he/she should perform. Let’s look at four of them and see which candidate, if any, fits the bill.
Loves God and His Word
Psalm 138:4 states: “All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O Lord, when they hear the words of thy mouth.” The presidential candidate of choice should enjoy God’s Word and praise Him for His Word, for it is through the Word of God that he/she receives wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. And in these last days we surely need someone in the White House who is connected to the Source of all wisdom.
Treats the Poor Fairly
In America today poverty is an unfortunate reality. Thankfully, the plight of the poor has become a major issue in this year’s election, especially with regard to universal health care and education. Did you know that in 2005 there were nearly 47 million Americans, or 16 percent of the population, without health insurance?1 That was about one in six Americans! Of that 47 million, 45.8 million of them were more likely to be poor and low income than higher income.2
When Jesus lived on earth He cared about the welfare of others. He didn’t wait until the Roman or Jewish legislatures passed a bill. He just took His plan to the streets. On any given day He was found walking from place to place or town to town, feeding the hungry, teaching the poor (and the rich, too), healing the sick, casting out demons, and even raising the dead! Could you imagine what it would be like if one of the candidates had a plan like Christ’s? That person would surely be a shoo-in for the presidency!
The poor are very dear to God. He said, “For ye have the poor with you always” and “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Mark 14:7; Matthew 25:40). Since the poor are important to God, the candidate who shows mercy and concern for the poor is someone we ought to consider for president.
Cleans House
Throughout our lifetime we have seen examples of gross ineptitude in our government. During those times there was an outcry that the incompetent individuals resign or be fired. Sometimes the administration heeded the cries of the people and “cleaned house.” Other times it turned a deaf ear. Proverbs 20:26 makes it clear that a wise leader, after careful scrutiny, will make a clean sweep of those who are derelict in their duties. As you look for a candidate, observe if he/she is willing to “clean house” when it is the right thing to do.
Is Honest and Has Truthful Advisers
Proverbs 16:13 brings out two additional attributes of a president. It says, “Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.” First, a presidential hopeful must be honest and have integrity. Which candidate speaks the truth no matter how “inconvenient” it may be? Second, a president should surround himself/herself with truthful advisers. He/she should enjoy not only speaking the truth, but also hearing it. “Tell me what I want to hear” cannot be the mind-set of the next president. On the contrary, the one who is of a presidential nature has made it a point to have individuals in his/her life that will tell him/her the truth. In an election we often focus on the candidate, but now we know it is also important to observe his/her advisers. Start observing the candidate’s advisers, if you haven’t been doing so. What is their track record? Do they speak up and stand up for what is right? I’m sure you will agree that we need someone in office who has counselors who will have a positive influence upon him/her as he/she leads this country.
Conclusion
Aren’t you glad God has given us some guidelines to follow in the selection of a president? The person we are looking for is one who loves God and His Word, is honest and surrounds himself/herself with truthful advisers, treats the poor fairly, and “cleans house” when necessary. There are several more guidelines such as: Does the candidate have loyal followers? Is he/she merciful? And does he/she take time to research things carefully? (See Proverbs 14:28; 20:28; and 25:2.) Take time to learn what the candidates’ positions are on the various issues and seek God’s guidance on the matter. Then when you stand in the polling booth on November 4 you will, in good conscience, be able to vote for the candidate the Lord has impressed upon your heart and mind. And while that person is in office, remember your God-given responsibility in 1 Timothy 2:1, 2 to thank God for him/her and pray that he/she rules wisely so that we can worship and honor God as we live quiet, peaceful lives.
Before I close there is something else that must be said. Yes, we have these wonderful guidelines. And, yes, we have certain responsibilities before the election and even after it. But here is the bottom line: It is God who “changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings” (Daniel 2:21). He declares, “By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth” (Proverbs 8:15, 16). Solomon echoed this same sentiment when He wrote: “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will” (Proverbs 21:1). I don’t know about you, but for me that is good news! God is in control, dear friend, and come what may on November 4, we can rest assured that He, the Sovereign One, will still be on the throne.
CAROLYN HENRY HURST is the Founder of Going GodWard Ministries and the wife of Pastor Jerome M. Hurst. E-mail: GoingGodWard@aol.com
References
1 DeNavas-Walt, Proctor, C. B., and Lee, C. H. “Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2005”. Census Bureau. August 2006. www.nchc.org/facts/coverage.shtml
2 ASPE ISSUE BRIEF: Overview of the Uninsured in the United States: An Analysis of the 2005 Current Population Survey: September 22, 2005. http://aspe.hhs.gov/health/reports/05/uninsured-cps/ |
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