Pastor's Corner

Posted in: Pastor's Corner
A Pastor's election advice
By Pastor Doug Morton
Nov 6, 2008 - 8:02:20 PM

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I write this article with Election Day only a few hours away. The winner of the Presidential race will be known by the time you read these words. At least I hope this to be true. I do not relish a repeat of the year 2000. Some are profoundly disappointed at the news of the winner. Others are ecstatically overjoyed. Depending upon your point of view, you’ll be tempted to see good or bad days ahead for our country.

I am writing to tell you that our nation’s destiny is not in who won the election. It is not in who lost it. Rather, it is in the God who is “high above the nations” and who “guide(s) the nations of the earth.” Both parties have told us how great their candidates are for our country. They have also told us how bad the other candidate is for this nation’s future. Now, I am all for people expressing their opinions and seeking to persuade others to the importance of their candidate. After all, that’s the ‘American Way.’ However, this must be tempered with the realization that no candidate is Savior to this country and that no candidate possesses all the wisdom needed to guide our country into the future. The Psalm writer asks God to let the nations know that “they are but men.” This is true no matter who is in control.

The governing of our nation, as well as of the world, does not rest in the wisdom of any one person. It doesn’t even rest in the wisdom of numerous people. If you search our nation’s history, you will find that it has been through much since its beginning. No president completely destroyed this nation. No president completely saved it either. As men, they governed the nation the best they knew how. Sometimes they succeeded. Other times they failed. It often takes history to let us know who was successful and who failed.

What our nation needs is the understanding that no human is the answer for this country. Rather, the answer is God who works through history. It is God who lifts up nations, and it is God who allows nations to decline. What God looks for in our nation is not a political brand, but rather a nation that lives by justice and equity. Thus, we should pray that the leader we have just elected will seek both.

So, whoever has won the Presidential election will be in my prayers. Presidents are mere mortals just like me. Just as I need God’s wisdom every day of my life, so our President Elect needs that same wisdom on a much grandeur scale. I do no put my trust in any mortal, be he Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, Green Party, or whatever. It is God who rules from the heavens and it is God whom I trust. I’ve learned to trust him because he has proven himself trustworthy in the sending of Christ to bring me forgiveness for my sin. This God is in control of the Universe. This God is the one who guides history towards it ultimate fulfillment. This God judges nations, including ours. Thus, this President Elect will get my prayers, not just for now, but for the next four years. May God give him the wisdom to lead this country. May God also give him the wisdom to deal with the nations of our world. In the meantime, I rest assured that history and my life are in God’s hands no matter which candidate won or lost.

Pastor Douglas Morton is pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Marengo. His email is pastor@forgiveninchrist.com.

Scripture verses for the above article are from Psalm 113:4; Psalm 67:4 and Psalm 9:21.

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