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'All authority comes from God' ... including election outcomes

Subhead
Built on a Rock
By
Pastor Walt Moser, First Baptist Church, Luverne

Is God in control of the election? If you are a Trump supporter and Biden is elected, you may wonder how did God allow this to happen. If you are a Biden supporter and Trump was reelected, you may wonder as well how did God allow this to happen.
I am writing this column prior to the election, so I don’t know the outcome and I am not sure even at the time you are reading this if the country will know who the next president is.
Most people I have talked with have a very strong opinion of who should be elected. As Christians we often think that God will allow the person we like to be elected. We even give reasons why God needs to work in what we believe is the correct way.
The Bible tells us that God puts every person into office. If he puts every person in office, that also means he keeps people out of office. Romans 13:1 says, “For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.” 
I believe the Bible is without error so I will trust what God says, but I do have questions. When Paul wrote this, the leaders of the day were hunting and killing Christians. The killing of Christians was used as entertainment in the Roman Colosseum. Other murderous leaders like Genghis Khan who killed millions of civilians, or the leaders of Russian, China, North Korea and the Middle East may make us question God’s decision. 
Yet Paul, as led by the Holy Spirit, said that every position of authority has been placed there by God.  Paul goes on to say in verse 6, “They are serving God in what they do.” 
As human beings we see the small picture of things and often see the people in positions of leadership meeting our personal needs rather than considering God’s eternal plan. The children of Israel went into captivity because of sin. Romans 1 says that because of sin men will suppress the truth. God uses leaders to show us Christ. God uses leaders to punish sin. God uses leaders for His glory, not ours.
Evil leaders cause us to see the need of Christ a little quicker than a righteous leader. But in this election and all elections, understand that God is in control and nothing stops or interferes with God’s plan. 
You may be delighted in the next president or you may think he comes straight from the pit of hell, but remember and treat our leaders each as a person God put in the office at this time for His purpose. Everything God does in some way is to point us to Jesus. Know God is in control. 
“Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heaven and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.”  Jeremiah 27:17

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