Today I cast my vote on my 7th U.S. Presidential Election. I took advantage of the early voting option in Texas to avoid the big lines on Election Day. Still, there but were quite a few people there today including a few first time voters.
Now, if you have been paying any attention to this year’s contest, you know is like no other at least in my lifetime.
I am writing today to share why I voted in hopes that regardless of what you think, you will go out and exercise your right and duty to vote. I would never presume to tell you how to vote, but I would encourage you and challenge you to vote.
Unfortunately, we have been given the choice between two deeply flawed candidates for the highest office in the nation. I don’t think there have ever been 2 worst possible choices.
In some respects, I wish that “none of the above” was a viable option. But staying home and not voting is a vote for someone. Voting for a 3rd party candidate that has no chance of winning is a vote for one of the 2 candidates. In my view, a wasted vote.
This week in one of my devotional readings, I ran across a verse in the book of Jeremiah. The prophet Jeremiah is writing a letter to a group of Jews who are now exiled in Babylon.
The situation is as follows; God has passed judgment on Judah. They have lost their land and their freedom. God has given them a definite timetable for the duration of the judgment (70 years).
And here is what one of the things Jeremiah shares with them as they deal with their new reality:
Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare.
Jeremiah 29:7
I am sure the Jews were not happy with their situation. They would have preferred to be back in their home, in their land and living in freedom. And yet God encouraged them through the prophet to seek the welfare of the oppressor because in doing that they would also be blessed.
As a Christian, I know that this world is not my home. I am citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven and I am just passing buy. But I am still here as an ambassador for Christ. I have work to do.
I love America with all its virtues and defects. I have always been amazed at this great experiment in democracy and freedom. Still the best place to live in the world, truly touched by the hand of God.
But I know we are going in the wrong direction. We are headed towards implosion and destruction. And I know that no man or woman in the White House can reverse the course. We do not need political solutions. We need spiritual revival. We need God!
See, I also think that the way things are today and the choices we have been given for leadership, it’s part of God’s judgment for our many sins. So how I can seek the welfare of this country I love? How can I help to perhaps entreat God to have mercy on us?
First, I cast my vote because it is my duty and my right. Even though we have 2 bad choices, there is one choice worse than the other in my opinion.
So I voted but I voted with a clear worldview which for me is a biblical worldview. As a Christian, that always informs my choices.
Second, come November 9th we will have a new President elect. Regardless of what happens, as a Christian I am called to pray for that President and to be the best possible citizen I can be in my neighborhood, in my city, in my state.
But more important that all of that, I know that regardless of who sits in the Oval Office, God is still on the throne. He rules in the affairs of men and His plan for history will continue to move unhindered and without disruption by the schemes of men.
So as a Kingdom citizen, I will continue to do my best to point people to Jesus Christ the one and only person who can save all of us. I want to help bring as many people as I can into that eternal kingdom. That’s where our only true hope really is.
But you see, we need spiritual revival but revival starts with me. I need to be revived. My household needs to be revived.
My church needs to be revived. The church of Jesus Christ across this great land needs to be revived. So I am going to pray for the revival we desperately need.
I hope you join me and vote and I also hope that you join me in praying for God’s hand of mercy to be on the U.S.
May God truly, truly have mercy on us and indeed may God bless America!!!!!
20 Daniel said, “Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to Him.
21 “It is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men and knowledge to men of understanding.
Daniel 2:20-21 (NASB)
