The world is taking great note of the upcoming USA elections and for good reason. The results will have repercussions that go far beyond the shores of America. It’s an election of epic proportions; an event without precedence that will surely be noted in the annals of worldwide history. As an American, I too am watching the daily saturation of election coverage. However, my sentiments in recent weeks is more characterised by a sense of grieving, tears and shame. Has our country and our world truly come to such a sordid spectacle where we see a daily feeding of sin, slander and corruption?
What about our role as members of the Body of Christ? Are we also guilty of feeding this frenzy through our daily absorption of news and arm chair commentary? We seek to project the fallout of the administration that will come to power while failing to recognise the cup of iniquity coming to the full. Are we really concerned for the abominations taking place in the land? Admittedly, I’ve been guilty of this trespass.
There is another election that the Bible speaks of that should draw more of our attention. “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.” 2Pet 1:10 Have you ever thought of yourself as a believer being involved in an election? What are the qualities and characteristics that will draw the attention of God?
It’s a wonderful thing to sing about God winning our hearts, but have we won His? Scripture is filled with examples of men and women who are cited by God for their manner of life. The Lord took great pleasure in Job as he conversed with Satan (Job 1:8). The Bible refers to God’s election of Rahab and the widow who cast in her two mites; two unlikely candidates whom the Lord highly esteemed. How can we come to the place of making our calling and election sure? Here are two quick Biblical examples:
1) Joshua the high priest was a man whose life was contended over by both God and Satan (Zech 3:1-2). What qualities did Joshua possess that enabled him to be elected or contended over by God? The Bible speaks of him as one who was chosen out of the fire (vs 2). This signifies a process of purifying and refining that he chose to avail himself of. It’s a picture of the true priest as seen in Malachi 3:2-3 “But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap. And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.” Do we live a life worthy of being contended over by God; a life characterised by the Fear of the Lord? It’s interesting to note that Joshua experienced a divine exchange of garments as a result of his circumspect walk (Zech 3:4).
2) There’s another group of people whom God identifies and takes special note of. It’s to those who cry out concerning the sins of the land. The Word of the Lord came to an angelic host that was about to bring judgement to rebellious Israel; among them was a man who was instructed to seal and place a mark upon those who cried out concerning the abominations in the land (Eze 9:4). A similar example is given in the Book of Revelation where a seal was placed upon the servants of God before judgement (Rev 7:3). The Bible makes clear that we’re to be those who seek after meekness and righteousness in the day of the Lord’s anger (Zeph 2:3). It’s a priestly prayer that pleads for the mercy of God to come upon the land.
Make no mistake; I’ll vote in the upcoming USA election and I do have a preference. It’s a crucial vote that may well alter the worldwide landscape in economic and geo-political terms. At the same time, let us not lose sight of the election that truly matters; being among the elected of God. As a church, may we seek to know the heart of God and be a people walking in the Fear of the Lord. The key is to come into the place of humbling ourselves and praying, seeking the face of God while pleading for a turning away from sin. It’s here where God can forgive the sin and heal the land (2 Chron 7:14). This will help to ensure a positive result in one’s personal and national election.
