Tuesday, November 4, 2014- Election Day

In many cities across Canada and the United States, today is Election Day.  Mayors and city councillors will be elected to serve the people of their respective communities for several years to come.  These electives will be charged with the responsibility of making decisions that will work for the common good of the citizens and hopefully respect God's laws in the process. 

In a recent referendum held in Scotland people were asked to vote either to remain in union with other countries in Great Britain or choose for independence.  The people of Scotland turned out in record numbers to vote for who would be their leaders. They chose to remain under those officials elected and governing in the United Kingdom.

There's much talk about issues surrounding our government representatives.  We see problems with greed, with infidelity, with party politics, and so many other concerns that make us unhappy with our elected officials.  God has some words of challenge and comfort for us when we consider voting for those who will govern us.

1.  Our elected officials are God's servants.  For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.  (Romans 13:4 NIV)

2.  We are to obey government leaders.  Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good.  (Titus 3:1 NIV)

3.  God is the ultimate ruler and every elected official must answer to God for how he/she cared for the people whom they were given to govern.  For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.  (Colossians 1:16 NIV)

4.  Even though rulers get things wrong, God still works out His faithful plans in it all.  Leaders in Jesus' time got it wrong and crucified him but God, who had a bigger plan, used it for the salvation of the world.  The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him.  (Luke 24:20 NIV)

5.  Whether or not the person you voted for assumes office after elections today, we are responsible to pray for them and for the communities they represent.  God wants to bless all of us and even use government officials as agents of his blessing.  Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” (Jeremiah 29:7 NIV)

Let's thank God today for the freedom to vote. Let's vote.  Let's continue to pray for all elected officials that they will serve God from a true and humble heart.  Today, let's rest in the fact of God's control over all human affairs and entrust our lives to His care once again.

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