Politics and God in Massachusetts and Beyond

I was watching the election results come in last night from the Senate race in Massachusetts. “Amazing” was the word that came to mind. Who would have thunk it? That a Republican would replace the late Ted Kennedy as the next Senator from the very blue state of Massachusetts. Now it is true I am a pastor and people usually get uncomfortable when pastors venture into the arena of politics. It’s as if pastors aren’t allowed to have opinions regarding politics and if they do they should not share them. But sometimes politics can cross over into the arena of religion and spirituality and to remain silent is to ignore my call. And so in those instances I will speak.

Last night didn’t cross any of these kinds of lines. It was just VERY interesting drama that was unfolding. But as a Christian (and not a pastor) I could not help but wonder, “What is God up to?” Most people would never equate what happened in Massachusetts last night as having anything to do with God. I would disagree. Am I saying that God “voted” for Scott Brown. Well, in a manner of speaking I would say that God has the only vote that really counts in the end.

I think the Bible is clear. No one comes to power in any nation outside the sovereign will of God.

Romans 13:1 (ESV)

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.

So Barack Obama is our President because God wanted it that way. George Bush was our President before Barack Obama because God wanted it that way. Those who occupy elected office in our Congress are there because God has said it should be so.

This does not mean that those in office will do a good job. Or that they will always makes the right decisions or the decisions that are in the best interest of the people. There have been plenty of poor and yes, even evil, leaders throughout history that God has allowed to be installed. But God is always working His master plan. We can never forget that. God can even harden the heart of a king (like he did with Pharaoh) so that it suits His will and plan.

And just when WE think that WE are the ones in control and that WE can predict and direct the political landscape of our nation, something like a Republican getting elected to the United States Senate in Massachusetts happens that throws everybody for a loop.

And so yes, last night I found myself wondering and excited about what God is up to!

And while I may not fully trust George Bush or Barack Obama or Scott Brown, I do trust God. He has a plan. He is working the plan. And God’s plan will come to fruition. No man can stop it but we can each decide on which side of God’s plan we will stand.

Blessings,

Jeff