ELECTION TIME THOUGHTS
from guest writer, Jim Shoffstall
Originally Posted by: Jim Shoffstall
November 3, 2008
I spent a small chunk of this beautiful day at the Circuit Clerk’s Office of St. Clair County. I was there to vote early due to my work schedule prohibiting me from participating in the election process tomorrow. Not too long ago I would have simply passed on an opportunity to cast my ballot.
I couldn’t vote because I had to work.
I even pulled this excuse out of the hat once in awhile:
My vote won’t make one bit of difference in this election. Besides, all politicians are crooks.
Yep, I confess that there have been elections which were tossed aside by me. I saw no reason to participate in a process when the only choices I had were corruptible politicians seeking to advance their own agendas. I am even more disappointed in my choices for President this year. OH MY GOSH!
Anyway, tomorrow will see millions of American’s casting their votes which will establish new leaders and new policies. We will not know what the outcome of this election will be for a couple of days, however I believe from the deepest areas of my heart that God is “privy” to the outcome. In fact, I believe he orchestrated it from the very beginning.
“Praise be the name of God forever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes the times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them.” (Daniel 2:20-21)
During Old Testament times when God selected a King for the Israelites he would send a prophet or priest to inform the nation of the winning candidate. I have no doubt that God has already made plans for our next President. At some point over the next couple of days the world will discover who that chosen person is. And we will be a part of the voice which makes the announcement.
Regardless of what our next leader is like or what his administration does, God will someday send us His chosen one. The King of kings and Lord of lords will take his place as ruler of all. And for those who are invited to be a part of his kingdom, crooked and deceitful politicians will become a thing of the past.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. (Isaiah 9:6-8)
A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him-the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord- and he will delight in the fear of the Lord. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked. Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist. (Isaiah 11:1-5)
Men and women of God, stand fast in the present times. Though our election process may give us the illusion that we are in control, make no mistake; God is very much in control of all that is happening in our society. I no longer fret over who our next President will be or what our next President will or will not do. In know that in the end the rulers of this earth will one day be overthrown by Jesus Christ. His term of office will never end.
To God be all glory!
JS
