In Control

 November 1, 2020

In two days, we will cast our vote. We will have listened to, or ignored, countless tv and Facebook ads, email bombardments, bulk mailings, and robo calls. For most of us, none of these will have made much, if any, difference. We believe the candidates we favor are better than the other side, and can give lengthy reasons for that belief. People on both sides of the aisle are predicting absolute disaster and catastrophe if the other side wins, stoking ignorance with fear. 

I could be wrong, but I doubt many of those predictions will prove accurate, and even if they are, there are better and more important things in life upon which we should be setting our hope. Daniel was a political prisoner. His country had been overrun by the world power of the day, and as a promising young man, he was chosen to become an advisor to the emperor...sort of an insurance policy for a potentate who was unsure of his power and needed a variety of input to make wise decisions. When the emperor’s fears surfaced in a dream, Daniel was brought in to give advice. He did, but it probably wasn’t what the emperor wanted to hear.

“[Yahweh] changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding.” —Daniel 2:21

Do you see it? God still rules. If we ever imagine that our cause will fail if our man doesn’t get into office, it is a sure sign that our cause is not God’s. We make our choices as best we know how, but God is still God. 

Today is All-Saints Day, when we honor and remember those who have finished their earthly race and have joined the Church Triumphant. Revelation pulls back the curtain of God’s plan to reveal a bit of what is already happening in heavenly places. Listen to them:

“Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!” And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: “Blessing and honor and glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne, And to the Lamb, forever and ever!”” —Revelation 5:11-13 

Those matters which loom so significant today will someday fade into insignificance. So pray, vote, but also give thanks no matter what the outcome for the victory of our Lord Jesus Christ who is still Lord of lords, and King of kings.