There is a lot to be said about tonight's election results. Paying attention to Bible verses like Proverbs 21:1, 1 Timothy 2:1-4, Daniel 2:21 and Hosea 8:4 are very telling verses, but I am again drawn to one particular passage that I feel says it best:
"If you fear the Lord and serve Him and obey His voice, and do not rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then both you and the king who reigns over you will continue following the Lord your God. However, if you do not obey the voice of the Lord, but rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then the hand of the Lord will be against you. . . But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king." - 1 Samuel 12:14-15,25
This was the prophet Samuel's address to the people of Israel as he appointed their very first king, Saul. This marked a pivotal political shift for Israel, which had to that point in history been a strict theocracy. Samuel gave the people of Israel the responsibility of honoring the commands of the Lord and reflecting those beliefs in their leadership. His charge was clear. Do not rebel against the commands of the Lord, lest the Lord turn against you and sweep you away - a terrifying standard.
To my eye, change has come to America, and it is not a change that honors the Lord's commands. Statistics have said for many years that the younger generations are greatly departing for traditional moral values, and as those generations become of voting age, this change has become clear among young voters.
I have great hope for President Obama. 1 Timothy 2:1-4 and Proverbs 21:1 give me great hope for his salvation. Whether he will be an instrument of judgement or of redemption, only God knows (the same could have been said about Romney). My urgency turns more toward the worldview of the youth of America. The Barna Research Group released a study in 2009 that showed that less than one half of one percent of those born after 1984 agree with a traditionally Biblical worldview, compared to 9% of adults. America's abortion policies are not the issue but rather the symptom of America's moral decay. America needs to return to the Lord regardless of who was elected.
My hope for America was never in one candidate. Our great hope is always in the mercy of God and the leadership of Jesus. As believers, we belong to higher government, and while we vote to participate in democracy, we pray to participate in God's government. According to Samuel, we desperately need a culture shift in America, but that change can't come from the white house. That change only comes from the Lord through his church. The responsibility falls to us to pray, to do justly and walk humbly before the Lord.
Be encouraged to pray by Paul's instruction in 1 Timothy 2:1-4:
"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly anddignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desiresall people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."
God bless President Obama, and God bless America.
UPDATE: I've added this video on November 14th from Daniel Lim, the CEO of the International House of Prayer. His video communicates my conclusion very well.
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