Did you watch the presidential debate? I did. And after a brief episode of disbelief and amusement, I spent some time researching Trump, Clinton and Johnson.  I’m still surprised that these are our only choices for president this term. I’m really disappointed.  I know i’m not alone in that – Many Americans don’t like our potential candidates.  Lets be honest the only reason they are in the running is because they have money.  I promise I will not make this solely a political post! This is, of course the topic of heated arguments and disagreement between most people right now.  And my goal is to be an encouragement not promote discord.

But it’s easy to get spun up about what will happen if the wrong person ends up president (or in this case either person!)  What if they aren’t wise? What if they cause more economic problems? What if they ruin our military or send us into more war? What if they take away our hard won freedoms? Those are legitimate concerns and YOU need to be educated about who you vote for this year. “But all my choices are bad! It’s a tie between the Liar and the Loudmouth!” You argue. Yes… that seems to be the case my friends, but we need not be worried because God is still on the throne.

“Praise the name of God forever and ever, for He has all wisdom and power.  He controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars.”  Daniel 2:20-21

That’s the TRUTH. Immovable and eternal God controls the course of world events. He is still the potter and we will always be the clay. Clinton and Trump are not exempt from that!  They are clay.  God will do what he wants to do and no one changes that. However… sometimes God allows us to experience the negative consequences of our actions. The actions of world leaders always effect the people they govern.

If you know the Bible you will know that there are many times in history where God set bad leaders in power just so he could use them to display His glory.  Men like King Nebuchadnezzar, King Xerxes, Herod, Pontius Pilate, and the Pharaoh of Egypt.

Pharaoh is a good example. He was an extremely powerful man, and he controlled the important kingdom of Egypt.  He used the Israelite people as slaves to build his kingdom, but then God called Moses to set them free. Every time God sent a plague Pharaoh initially gave in, saying he would set the Israelite’s free, but then changed his mind (hardening his heart.)  God said to Pharaoh,

“By now I could have lifted my hand and stuck you and your people with a plague to wipe you off the face of the earth.  But I have spared you for a purpose – to show you my power and to spread my fame throughout the earth.” – Exodus 9:15-16

“So you see, God chooses to show mercy to some, and he chooses to harden the hearts of others so they refuse to listen.” – Romans 9:18

Now this gets into some deep theological stuff that’s really interesting (and somewhat controversial.)  I’d encourage you to read all of Romans 9 to get a better understanding of it. But the fact is God used Pharaohs bad to accomplish His good purpose. Every time Pharaoh got prideful and refused to let the Israelite slaves go, God did another miracle – showing the world His awesome power.

I don’t have an answer for why God allows bad things to happen to good people and I cannot say we won’t endue hardship in the future regardless of which person becomes president.  Sadly, “One Nation Under God” may not be a fitting title for the USA anymore as her actions become less and less in line with obeying God – and that is a super scary place to be.

No one knows what God is orchestrating with the nations in the coming days. But we can take heart in this – He is always in control and He is forever good. He never falls off this throne or losses sight of what’s happening in the world (or in your life.) All people, nations and time it’s self belong to Him.  Our good father does not abandon his children, but will go before us and help us through whatever happens in this life.

“For God is King over all the earth. Praise him with a psalm. God reigns above the nations, sitting on his holy throne.” – Psalm 47:7-8