I was excited to see that Franklin Graham has been thinking of King Jehoshaphat lately, too! Saturday, he had a Facebook post encouraging Christians to participate in a Day of Prayer and Fasting on Sunday, October 25, 2020. He quoted the same passage I did regarding Jehoshaphat’ prayer.

2 Chronicles 20:3-4 ³ Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. ⁴ And Judah assembled to seek help from the Lord; from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.

I agree with Franklin when he posted the night of the first Trump/Biden debate:

I differ in that I am not so convinced has Franklin is to be so definite on who to vote for. Franklin is a big Trump supporter. I get it. I understand why he feels that way. Yet something inside of me is telling me to give a full account to God for my vote. Indeed, one day I will. I may as well have the issue settled now.

Here’s another piece to this whole process – who exactly is it who puts the President into office? Is it the voters? The electoral college? Here’s a couple verses that may help answer that. First, this is what God said to King Nebuchadnezzar through Daniel:

Daniel 2:21 He changes times and seasons;
    he removes kings and sets up kings;
he gives wisdom to the wise
    and knowledge to those who have understanding;

Second, this is what God said to Pharaoh through Moses:

Exodus 9:16 But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.

God is the one who puts kings into power. Do we really think that our vote will circumvent that? I’m afraid we misunderstand who God is if we think we can outmaneuver him against his will.

Not only does God put into power whomever he pleases, he has the right, privilege, and ability to bend that ruler’s will to His.

Proverbs 21:1 The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord;
    he turns it wherever he will.

Let me add just one more:

Romans 13:1Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.

So then, who do we say put Obama into office? The Democrats or God? How about Trump? The Republicans or God? Who will put who into office come Election 2020?

Folks, all this should take a great burden off our shoulders knowing that God is in control. We do not need to fret and worry about the election itself and who will be president. Oh, don’t misunderstand me. I think Biden will promote abortion like no other president has. But… I must remember that if Biden obtains office, it is God’s providence, not the election.

Again, we must go back to Romans 1 in which God gives us up to our sinful desires. Yes, the majority may want Biden, but God can suppress that vote while raising up that of the opposition. See what I mean? God can thwart anyone’s plans. 

Now, let’s face the facts. Most rulers have been evil. We can look at the history of Israel to see that. Yes, God knows this even before he puts them into office. That’s his will. He will be glorified by these wicked men, not in what they do but in the wrath God will extend on them or the redemption he grants despite of them.

So, let me ask you again. Who will put into place our next president?

If you conclude that it will be God, you and I are in agreement. That give me great freedom to please God with my vote. Is there a candidate out there who honors God? Remember, only those who are born again can please him (Romans 8:8). 

What if there is not a genuine Christian on the ballot to choose from? I don’t know about you, but my ballot has a space labeled, “Write-in, if any.” I can think of lots of people who would please God and be well-qualified to be president. I’m sure you can, too. Wouldn’t it be easier to answer to God if we voted to please him rather than to hope against hope that your party doesn’t lose to THAT party?

Now, let me ask you this. Do you trust God in this election? I mean, do you REALLY trust him? Enough to vote against the two-party system? Enough to “waste” your vote on a the non-Republican candidate? Are you willing to drop the party-line vote long enough to really dig into scripture to determine God’s will? Let’s face it, prayer isn’t the only thing we should rely on. The Spirit never contradicts scripture. Yes, we need to pray about this. Fasting is a very good idea, too. But let’s not forget to do our bible homework before we do.

Personally, I don’t think Donald Trump is a genuine Christian. The fruit simply isn’t there. Talk is cheap. His pro-life stance doesn’t prove that he is a Christian. Heck, lots of Jews are pro-life! I’m reminded with what John the Baptist said:

Luke 3:7-9 ⁷ He said therefore to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? ⁸ Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. ⁹ Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

Father, guide us. We desire to have our vote count as treasures in heaven. We need wisdom to understand that. Amen.

Copyright © 2020 Scott Powers

Photo Credit: Photo by Olivia Snow on Unsplash