{"id":2000,"date":"2020-10-09T17:41:39","date_gmt":"2020-10-09T17:41:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.katiepolski.com\/?p=2000"},"modified":"2020-10-09T17:41:43","modified_gmt":"2020-10-09T17:41:43","slug":"what-doesnt-change-after-november-third","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/katiepolski.com\/?p=2000","title":{"rendered":"What Doesn’t Change After November Third"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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I don\u2019t like to talk about politics. I wrestle with the issues, I pray over my decisions, and I become as educated as possible in the matters at hand, but I don\u2019t like to broach the subject with many people. It just feels like plenty could go wrong if a coffee date starts with, \u201cSo, who are you voting for?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And this exactly what happened to me a few weeks ago. A brief conversation about how my kids are doing was derailed by an abrupt and bold, \u201cKatie, who are you voting for?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Um\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I didn\u2019t answer, and my silence was welcomed with a subsequent rant. The essence of the outburst was this: if things go in favor of a particular candidate, we might as well throw in the towel because we\u2019ll all be done for. And so, I listened, and then I awkwardly mentioned the nice change in weather.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For several days, I thought about this conversation. No matter the political sway, this kind of extreme doomsday view over a particular candidate\u2019s potential win is widespread, more so than I ever remember. Listen, I\u2019m not suggesting that we don\u2019t passionately discuss and debate the particulars related to the upcoming election; in fact, as believers, we should be engaged with the issues, and we should be sure to vote as citizens. What is concerning is the \u201cend of the world\u201d type attitude that many believers seem to embrace with regard to what may or may not happen on November 3rd. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In First Samuel 10, we read about the nation of Israel and their desire for a new King. The problem is not in their desire for a ruler, the problem is that they preferred a king who would rule \u201clike all the other nations.\u201d The Lord established Himself <\/em>as Israel\u2019s ruler, but that wasn\u2019t good enough. They wanted a king who looked like everyone else \u2013 a ruler other than God. So, the Lord gives them Saul. After his induction, we read this in verses 25-27:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThen Samuel told the people the rights and duties of the kingship, and he wrote them in a book and laid it up before the Lord. Then Samuel sent all the people away, each one to his home. Saul also went to his home at Gibeah, and with him went men of valor whose hearts God had touched. But some worthless fellows said, \u2018How can this man save us? And they despised him\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interestingly, not everyone in this passage has the same reaction to this newly established king, but in the differing responses during a new and uncertain era, one truth remains utterly clear: The Lord never hands over His throne when a new ruler is established.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If Your Candidate Wins, God is Still King<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

The first response to Saul\u2019s new position is seen in a group of valiant men who follow him home. One can assume that these men are excited and energized about their future; they\u2019re ready to stand and fight with their new king, Saul.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But there is a phrase here that cannot be missed. The people who follow Saul are a group whose hearts God had touched. <\/em>They are moved to support king Saul, who the Lord directly appoints, because the Lord causes them to do so.<\/em> This easily missed phrase is incredibly significant in that it reminds the believer of the Lord\u2019s unceasing rule over all creation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are excited come November 4, that enthusiasm cannot dismiss the reality that there is no ruler, no president, who has authority or control outside of what the Lord has sovereignly ordained. There is not a ruler on the planet, no matter how great his or her abilities, who does not fall under the headship of Christ. If your candidate wins, God is still King. He will work in the lives of those He puts in authority just as He will work in the lives of those who counsel and support our officials. God\u2019s work is present in every chapter, every page, even every utterance in history. If you find yourself rejoicing this election, let it be first and foremost over the fact that God reigns supremely, and He will work in the hearts of men and women in such a way that causes His name to be glorified and His purposes to prevail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If Your Candidate Loses, God is Still King<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

The second response is from those labeled \u201cworthless fellows\u201d who despise Saul and question his ability to save them. Here\u2019s the thing. They have legitimate reason to be skeptical. Just a few verses before, Samuel brings all the tribes together to announce the new king. You can imagine the vast group gathered and waiting to hear who their fearless leader will be. The drama is not missed as tradition calls for lots to be cast. Many tribes are dwindled down to one, and then one family steps forward, and then\u2026drum roll\u2026<\/em>Saul is announced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But he\u2019s nowhere to be found. <\/em>I can imagine the act on stage as the producer forcefully whispers, \u201cClose the curtain\u201d <\/em>because the main character is \u201cMIA.\u201d Saul cannot be found because he is hiding behind the baggage. He is hiding in the pile of Israelite suitcases, for heaven\u2019s sake!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, yes, there is reason to be doubtful of Saul\u2019s ability to reign. But their skepticism is not the main cause for the weighty label of \u201cworthless men.\u201d Rather, it\u2019s because they are a group trusting more in a human leader\u2019s ability to save them than they are in the Sovereign God who put the leader in place. If you are disheartened come November 4, the discouragement should not turn into dismay because the reality is, there is no ruler who has authority or control outside of what the Lord has sovereignly ordained. If your candidate loses, God is still King.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see the Lord\u2019s marvelous plan unfold even through a king like Saul who is later discovered to be unstable and unrepentant. And yet, God puts Him in leadership at a certain time, in a certain place, and for a specific purpose. Becoming unraveled over the election of a candidate, no matter who wins, is to disregard the power and majesty of our true King whose purposes cannot be thwarted, no matter who sits on earthly thrones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What doesn’t change after November third is that you are a child of the King, and that King will reign not just today and tomorrow, but He has reigned since the beginning of time and His reign will last for eternity. Praise God for His great, loving, and sovereign rule over all things. Praise God that He<\/em> sits on the throne. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I don\u2019t like to talk about politics. I wrestle with the issues, I pray over my decisions, and I become … <\/p>\n

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