Like so many in our nation over the past several weeks, I have listened and watched on network television as the presidential candidates of both major political parties have engaged in debates scheduled in various cities around the country. I am sure that I am not alone in feeling a deep-seated disappointment with both the content and the conduct of the debates. Now believe me, I do not have lofty expectations of most of the candidates whose lives seem to be consumed by the quest for person ambition and political pre-eminence. But still, I have been struck by the shameless lack of mutual respect evident in the verbal exchanges between the various personalities. Only one or two have refused to enter into the heated and tactless rhetoric by the eight or so remaining candidates. [And my guess is that they are the ones who are generally seen as being weak; when in reality, they are the ones who are most dignified, wise and emotionally mature.] Although I do not have high view of this qualifying stage in the political process, I do expect what I would call… ‘civility.’ Civility is defined as ‘formal politeness and courtesy in behavior or speech.’
Here’s the bottom liner: We want the President of the United States, the leader of the free world, to be someone who is wise and understanding. So, is there some practical counsel in Scripture to help us determine what this person should look like? Indeed there is… in James 3:13-18, “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such ‘wisdom’ does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
But the wisdom that comes down from above is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”
Read those verses over again… slowly this time, in a focused way. Hold the words up alongside each presidential candidate as a plumb line to measure how straight and tall they stand when it comes to wisdom. While I believe that God can and will ‘work all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose,’ regardless of who is ultimately elected to serve [now there is a unique concept], as a Christian citizen we should, we must responsibly cast our vote.
Pray with me… Great God, our Father, we want our nation to continue to be positioned to experience Your favor and blessing in the future. And we want to secure Your blessing for ourselves and our posterity. We want America to be restored as a Christian nation. So we ask for Your mercy, we ask for Your patience, we ask for Your grace to order our own personal lives and to seek first Your kingdom as we choose our leaders in the weeks and months ahead. In the Name of Jesus, amen.
Blessings,
Pastor Ken
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