29 July 2010 Devotion for Today "You Cast the Deciding Vote" I Timothy 2:1-7
I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— 2for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time. 7And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a teacher of the true faith to the Gentiles. I Timothy 2:1-7
We are fast approaching the 234th anniversary of our nation's birth with the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Many are unhappy with the direction that our nation is going right now, and unfortunately have lost faith in our government and even with their vote. In fact, some may have the attitude that their vote doesn't count or make any difference. Yet in 1984, the secretary of state of California compiled the following list and here is what he said about the worth of a person's vote:
In 1645, one vote gave Oliver Cromwell control of England
In 1649, one vote caused Charles I of England to be executed.
In 1776, one vote gave America the English language instead of German.
In 1845, one vote brought Texas into the Union.
In 1868, one vote saved President Andrew Johnson from impeachment.
In 1876, one vote changed France from a monarchy to a republic.
In 1876, one vote gave Rutherford B. Hayes the Presidency of U.S.
In 1933, one vote gave Adolph Hitler leadership of the Nazi Party.
In 1960, one vote change in each precinct in Illinois would have denied John F. Kennedy the Presidency.
Our votes do make a difference. And we who are Christians should honor this sacred privilege and vote at every opportunity. This being said, however, we need to realize that there are 2 inherent weaknesses in the Democratic process. There are two problems that plague the voting public, because while I believe our nation possesses the best form of government known to the world today, it is still not a perfect system and we need to remember this.
Number one- when we vote, we vote for mortals. I dont care how moral and upstanding the politician is that we vote into office, he's still a sinner. Hes still prone to the same weaknesses and sinful tendencies and the same temptations as the rest of us. These politicians are not God they ARE mortal. They do not walk on water. They do not perform miracles and they will disappoint us.
Secondly, when we Christians vote, there are times that - when we cast our vote we often do so under the mistaken belief that the candidate, or the party for which we vote has the power within themselves to change the course of our city, state, or national destiny . This is not true. And it has never been true.
Furthermore, it is a dangerous mistake to put more faith in politics, and politicians, and political parties than we do in God. I don't care whether you watch Fox News or CNN, it doesn't take long for the career of an upwardly mobile and skyrocketing politician to flatten out. Be he Republican or Democrat, he will find the bottom very quickly unless we pray for him or her.
This week Senator Robert C. Byrd of West Virginia passed away. I vividly recall hearing him speak at the Bicentennial celebration in my home town in 1976. He told of the man who had lived in a small town and had been a staunch Republican all his life. Now, he was 90, and his health began to fail. His doctor told him: "George, I'm sorry to tell you this, but, from the state of health, I'd say you'll not live out the year." The next morning, the old man asked his son to take him to the courthouse so he could change his registration from Republican to Democrat.
"But Dad," protested his the son, "you started this town's Republican Party and attended every function. Why would you want to become a Democrat?"
The old man replied: "Son, if someone has to die, it might as well be one of them!"
Senator Byrd got a lot of laughs at his own expense, and the crowd loved him for it. But he made the point that some people get so fired up about politics that they can be very unpleasant to be around. And some Christians seem to be more comfortable talking about politics than they do about Christ and this is what I find to be a problem.
Therefore, Paul tells us a method we can use to correct that kind political shortsightedness:
1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
I Timothy 2:1-2
In short, Paul commands us instead of griping about the nation or arguing about politics, we need to pray for all the politicians even the ones you don't like. Especially the ones you dont like! We ought never to complain if we don't vote, and we ought never to raise our opinion unless we first pray.
Pastor Gerald Flurry has written: "Prayer is political action. Prayer is social energy. Prayer is public good. Prayer shapes more of our nations life than is formed by legislation. That we have not collapsed into anarchy is due more to prayer than to the police. Prayer is a sustained and intricate act of patriotism in the largest sense of that word--far more precise, loving, and preserving than any patriotism served up in slogans." The single most important action contributing to whatever health and strength there is in our land is prayer. You see, our DECIDING vote, in any election is NOT the one we make in the privacy of the ballot box: Its the vote we make in the privacy of our prayer closets
The vote you make on your knees will have the power no ballot box can equal.
Have a blessed day!
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