ELECTIONS AND GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY
Key Facts
The 2020 election was held on November 3, 2020. As of the morning of November 6, the results of the election are still inconclusive, with a tight race surrounding the states of Nevada, Arizona, Georgia, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. However, it looks as if Joe Biden has taken a narrow lead in Pennsylvania and Georgia, with some outlets calling Pennsylvania for Biden. We may not know the full outcome of these states for several weeks, as litigation surrounding voter fraud, slow processing of mail-in ballots, and recounts will take time to be worked through. [1]
According to Pew Research, Christians account for 64% of registered voters. 28% are religiously unaffiliated. [2]
Key Scriptures
Psalms 135:6 “Whatever the LORD pleases, he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps.”
Isaiah 46:8-11 "Remember this and stand firm, recall it to mind, you transgressors, remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,' calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country. I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it.”
Ephesians 1:11 “In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,”
Proverbs 21:1 “The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will.”
Daniel 2:20-21 “Daniel answered and said: ‘Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.’”
Romans 8:28 “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
Philippians 3:20 “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
1 Peter 1:13 “Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
Want to Know More?
Billy Graham - Does God Care About the Presidential Election? Billy Graham’s Answer
The Works of God - God is sovereign over everything, including elections
Randy Alcorn - Resting in God’s Sovereignty over Human Events, Including Election Day
Institute for Faith, Work, and Economics - It’s the Day after the Election. Do We Still Believe God Is Sovereign?
Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission - A prayer for Election Day
Application
Scripture describes how God is sovereign over nations and those who lead them (Acts 17:26, Proverbs 21:1, Daniel 2:20-21, 4:32, 35). Depending on the results of our elections, Christians may be tempted to draw conclusions about God’s sovereignty or judgment on a nation. Some may be tempted to rejoice or lose hope depending on whether their preferred candidate was the winner or not. Christians may even want to say that if their preferred candidate won, then this displays God’s sovereignty, and if their preferred candidate did not win, then it can lead them to question God’s sovereignty. But is this right? What does the Bible say about elections and God’s sovereignty? How should we respond?
God is Sovereign, Regardless of the Results
First, God is sovereign over all (Psalm 115:3, 135:6; Isaiah 46:8-11, Ephesians 1:11), including nations (Acts 17:26) and those who lead the nations (Proverbs 21:1, Daniel 2:20-21, 4:32, 35). He is the everlasting God (Psalm 90:2, 93:2), unchanging through all of eternity (Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8). These things do not change, regardless of the outcome of the election. We must remember that God’s sovereignty is neither diminished nor exalted based on election results.
The Babylon Bee, a Christian satire website, jokingly published an article in 2018 titled, “God Unsure How He's Going To Accomplish His Eternal Purposes If Republicans Lose Congress.” A similar title given for the 2020 election was “Election Outcome Predicted To Have No Major Effect On Eternity.” Satire like this is sometimes good for exposing our underlying assumptions. Do we really believe that God is sovereign, even if the results don’t pan out the way we want? Will we worship him and give him glory to the same extent that we would if our preferred candidate won? While we may prefer one outcome over another, this should not change our response to God, cause us to question his sovereignty, or cause us to lose hope. No matter what happens, we can continue to trust that God works all things together for good for those that love him (Romans 8:28).
Who Can Know the Mind of God?
Some Christians may also want to interpret the election results as a sign of God’s blessing or judgment on a nation like we see in Deuteronomy 11:26-28. While this is possible, we must remember that the United States is not in a covenant relationship with God like the nation of Israel. A covenant comes with stipulations and obligations that must be fulfilled by both parties, like in a contract. If either party fails to uphold their end of the bargain, then consequences follow. Since God always upheld his promises, it was always Israel who failed in their obligations, and as a result, frequently underwent God’s judgment until they repented. Again, the United States is in no such covenant with God. (The New Testament Church is in a covenant relationship with God through Jesus (Hebrews 9:15).) Therefore, it would be speculative for Christians to say that particular election results are signs of God’s judgment.
Our Hope and Identity is in Christ
Second, while we strive to be a good steward over our earthly responsibilities like political engagement, we must remember that our primary identity is in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 2:20, 3:26; Colossians 3:3). Before we are citizens of earth, we are citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:20).
This means that our hope should never be tied to the results of earthly elections. Our hope does not lie in earthly kingdoms or governments, but on God’s eternal promises (Romans 8:18-25, Colossians 1:5, Titus 3:7). As Paul reminds us, “If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied” (1 Corinthians 15:19). If our hope is truly placed in Christ and his eternal kingdom, then unfavorable election results should not shake us or cause us to cower in fear or lose hope. Doing so would show us that our hope was misplaced. Regardless of the results of the election, Scripture calls us to prepare our minds for action, be sober-minded, and to “put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world.” (1 Peter 1:13).
Elections Don’t Change Our Purpose
Lastly, the results of the election do not change our primary purpose and mission as the Church. We are still called to make disciples and proclaim the gospel (Matthew 28:18-20). During election season, it can be easy to forget the people’s primary needs are spiritual. God has made us “ambassadors” to bring a dying world into reconciliation with God through his Son, Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20). Regardless of the results of the election, there will still be people who need to hear God’s good news.
In addition, God will still call Christians to be a good steward of their political responsibilities. While this can look different depending on our individual situations, the call to be good stewards does not change based on election results.
Conclusion
Whether we like the candidate that gets elected to office or not, God is sovereign. Just as a win for our preferred candidate does not give God any more glory, neither does a win for the other candidate diminish it. We may not always know the reason why God allows some elections to go one way or the other, but we can always be confident in his goodness, love, and power. Elections do not change those things most important to a Christian: our eternal security, identity, and hope in Christ and his kingdom.