Today is another opportunity to trust in God’s sovereignty and providence. You will be tempted today to think just like unbelievers. Don’t! Be on guard. To honor your Lord today, you must keep your eyes on him who is the living and reigning King of kings. Christ is preeminent in all things. Do you believe this?
Brothers and sisters, you must believe that whatever unfolds today will be according to your heavenly Father’s sovereignty and providence. Will today unfold according to God’s sovereign decree? What do you really believe? Why think like the world today? Why put your hope in names like Harris, Trump, Casey, McCormick, George, or Fee? Why would you believe that the wellbeing of your state and country is in the hands of sinners? The world believes that lie. The wellbeing of your bodies and souls does not depend on whether a swing state goes red or blue! Dear church, you are secure in Christ who is your life! Why not think, speak, and act like Christians today because you believe that your welfare and the welfare of your state and country are entirely in the hands of the sovereign Lord who works all things for His glory and your good? If Harris and Walz win, it will be for God’s glory and His church’s good. Do you believe the Bible? If Trump and Vance win, it will be for God’s glory and His church’s good. Do you believe the gospel? Be careful not to think like unbelievers. You have a better hope.
What has your social media looked like leading up to Election Day? Was it in line with the gospel? Should you confess and repent and remove some things? What will your social media look like today and tomorrow? Will it be in line with the gospel or will your social media look just like the unbelieving world around you? Will your attitude reflect the gospel as the votes are counted and the winner declared? If you believe the gospel today and tomorrow, whatever the outcome, you will see the days as opportunities to reflect the light and grace of Christ to the world and to live in gratitude for the gospel. Why think and act like unbelievers when your benevolent King is reigning and ruling right now?
I know I will be challenged today and tomorrow. I know that I will be tempted to believe that the welfare of my beloved state, Pennsylvania, and the welfare of my beloved country, the United State of America, and the welfare of my family, the Shirks, are in the hands of men. I anticipate a battle in my heart. And I want to trust Christ and continue to do what he has called me to do—to be the best man, husband, father, and minister that I can be—and the outcome of today doesn’t change any of that. I know what I must do as the votes are tallied and when the winner is declared. I must be faithful in the offices God has given me.
So, in light of God’s sovereignty, providence, and gospel on Election Day, I’d like to encourage you with seven divine truths to exhort and hearten you for your battle today and tomorrow.
- God works all things according to the counsel of His will.
Ephesians 1:11 clearly states, “In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will.” Election Day will unfold “according to the counsel of [God’s] will” because God has a divine purpose for it. Do you trust God? He knows what you do not. Don’t assume you know as much as God does or that you know better than God. God is at work, so trust Him to do His work and carry out His divine purposes.
2. God puts politicians in power, the ones He wants to rule.
Daniel 2:21 clearly states, “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.” First, God removes kings. Obama, Bush, Clinton, Bush, Reagan, Carter, Ford, and so forth were all removed from the presidency by God. Second, God sets up kings. Biden, Trump, Obama, Bush, Clinton, and so forth were all appointed to the presidency by God. Hitler was appointed to power by God as much as Churchill was. If you don’t believe me, listen to Jesus who said to Pilate, a brutal man and political tyrant, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above” (Jn. 19:11). Jesus believed that God had appointed Pilate to office and given him power. Pilate certainly failed to honor God in his office, but God, nevertheless, appointed him to the office.
Many foolish people have posted signs saying, “Not my president,” after their candidate lost. Perhaps they didn’t realize that their sign strongly suggested they were rejecting the sovereignty, providence, will, and choice of God. Think like a Christian today and tomorrow.
3. Don’t put your trust in politicians, because they can’t save you.
Psalm 146:3 clearly states, “Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.” Why on earth would you put your trust in Harris? There is no salvation in her! Why on earth would you put your trust in Trump? There is no salvation in him. Neither Harris nor Trump can do anything apart from the divine sovereignty and providence of God. They are powerless; God is powerful. Trust in Christ alone. He is salvation. Filled with the Holy Spirit, it was Peter who said in Acts 4:12, “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” He was talking about Jesus.
4. Finding refuge in the Lord is infinitely better than trusting in politicians.
Psalm 118:8–9 clearly states, “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. 9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.” If your candidate wins, you will be tempted to feel like you’ve entered a refuge, that you’re safer in their win than you would’ve been in their loss. I understand that kind of thinking. But remember, our refuge is the Lord not a politician or political outcome.
5. It is an act of faith and thankfulness to submit to the leaders God sovereignly appoints.
Romans 13:1 clearly states, “Let 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.” God put Nero in power. Nero was evil, but his office was necessary and good. Therefore, God wants His people to submit to their governing authorities. Will you submit to Harris if God elects her? Will you submit to Trump if God elects him? Will you submit to the senator, attorney general, auditor general, and representatives God elects? Make sure you don’t ignore the fullness of this command because of the exception to the rule stated in Acts 5:29.
6. Your duty as a Christian is to pray for the political leaders God sovereignly appoints over you.
First Timothy 2:1–2 clearly states, “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” If you want to be godly, if you are godly, then you will pray for the politicians God elects. You may not like the winner or the policies that they advocate, but you can love them by praying for them. Only Christians can pray by true faith exercising true love. The world refuses to do this.
7. Do not fear for the eternal kingdom is yours in Christ.
Jesus gave precious words to his disciples when they were anxious. He said, “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Lk. 12:32). Are you anxious about Election Day? Are you anxious about the outcome? Are you anxious about the future of your state and country? Jesus understands, and he is telling you, “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Brothers and sisters, we belong to Christ, and he is urging us, “Fear not.” Our Lord is calling us to remember that he is sharing with us his glorious kingdom, that the kingdom of this world is passing away, but his eternal kingdom is forever and is ours.
Today and tomorrow are opportunities for you to repent of your sin, trust in Christ who reigns, and live for Christ who reigns. Today and tomorrow your Lord is worthy of your trust and praise. Don’t resent His providence whether it is bitter or sweet. Trust in your Lord’s sovereignty and providence so that whatever the outcome of Election Day, you will be “patient in adversity, thankful in prosperity, and with a view to the future . . . have a firm confidence in [your] faithful God and Father that no creature shall separate [you] from His love” [1].
[1] Heidelberg Catechism 28 from Zacharias Ursinus and Jonathan Shirk, The Heidelberg Catechism: Comfort for Life and Death (Manheim: Small Town Theologian, 2021).
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