I have heard a lot of people – in the news, on social media, in conversations – talk about God’s sovereignty with regard to the 2020 election and its outcomes.
Yes, yes, a thousand times, yes. God is sovereign!
However, I want to remind us today that God’s sovereignty does not mean that the person who is elected will act in alignment with God’s will. It does not mean that everything will work out for our country the way we want it to. It does not mean that we will not experience upheaval or violence as a nation. Why? Because as humans we have free will. Any registered voter can exercise that free will as they desire in this presidential election. Any person at all – registered voter or not – can exercise that free will in how they respond to the results of the presidential election. And whoever is president can exercise their free will to obey God or disobey him.
So, what does God’s sovereignty mean? Exactly this:
GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY MEANS THAT NO PERSON – REGARDLESS OF THEIR WORLDLY POWER OR THE NATURE OF THEIR ACTIONS – CAN THWART GOD’S PURPOSES.
God’s sovereignty has accomplished his purposes through people who were good (like Moses) and through people who were evil (like Pharaoh). He has worked through the wise (like Solomon) and through the foolish (like Rehoboam). He has achieved his ends through the just (like Daniel) and through the unjust (like Haman).
What are God’s purposes for America in the coming years? To be honest, I don’t know. But I offer up these verses from Joel 2:12-14 for contemplation and prayer:
“’Yet even now,’ declares the Lord, ‘Return to Me with all your heart, and with fasting, weeping, and mourning; and tear your heart and not merely your garments.’ Now return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in mercy and relenting of catastrophe. Who knows, He might turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind Him.”