Terrifying Comfort in Election Season
It’s election time here in the States and everyone’s a little on edge. Ultimately, election season should remind us of the great privilege it is to have a say in who governs us. But even as I cast my vote this week, I remember that ultimately God will decide who wins and who loses.
I’m not sure how that hits you. Maybe it’s comforting. Maybe it’s frustrating. Maybe you wonder how I could make such a claim. I make this claim because the Bible makes this claim clearly in the book of Daniel. It makes this claim in declarative form (by stating it is true) and in narrative form (by showing that it is true).
Early on in the book, Daniel makes the following statement to the most powerful ruler in the world at the time:
“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”
(Daniel 2:20-21)
Daniel makes it clear: God removes kings. God sets up kings. It is the prerogative of the Lord Most High, Maker of Heaven and Earth, to decide who rules the nations. Our rulers are assigned in heaven. That’s the claim of the book of Daniel.
As the book progresses, we see God show this principle to be true as he changes up the leadership in Babylon—the major world superpower at the time—again and again. First, King Nebuchadnezzar is taken from the highest seat of power and brought to the lowest form of humility. We see his son, Belshazzar, rise to power and then quickly lose the throne through his own pride and death. God transfers the kingdom of Babylon to the Medes as King Darius takes over. And eventually Cyrus the Persian rules in his place. All in Daniel’s lifetime!
God is removing kings and setting up kings, proving his point over and over again. How is this possible? Because power belongs to him alone. Why is it right for him to do this? Because wisdom belongs to him alone. This idea that “Heaven Rules” (Daniel 4:26) repeats throughout the book reminding us that the ultimate authority over all the earth is seated in the heavens, clothed in holiness and splendor, without rival, without equal.
Nebuchadnezzar says it this way after his humiliation:
“For his dominion is an everlasting dominion,
and his kingdom endures from generation to generation;
all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing,
and he does according to his will among the host of heaven
and among the inhabitants of the earth;
and none can stay his hand
or say to him, “What have you done?”
(Daniel 4:34-35)
Later, King Darius says it this way:
“I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel,
for he is the living God,
enduring forever;
his kingdom shall never be destroyed,
and his dominion shall be to the end.”
(Daniel 6:26-27)
The point is clear: God’s in charge. He will raise up whom he will raise up. And he will remove whom he will remove. Sometimes he raises up noble men and women, full of integrity and honor. Sometimes he raises up evil men and women, full of hatred and greed. He takes credit for it all.
It is terrifyingly comforting.
It’s terrifying because God may raise up terrible leaders who cause us harm. He never promises a good life to those who follow Jesus. He promises just the opposite, that those who desire to follow him and live a godly life will suffer and will be persecuted. In that sense, it can feel terrifying knowing that God may have purposed hardship and suffering in this life for us.
And yet, it’s entirely comforting to know that the God who did not spare his own son for us, the one who loves us eternally and at great cost to himself, is calling the shots. He is absolutely out for our good, no matter how bleak it seems from our vantage point. We can trust his decisions, even if they seem confusing.
Whether you live in the USA right now or not, take comfort in the fact that God is in control over the people who rule your country, your state, your province, your city, your school, your workplace, and your home.
By all means, take advantage of the privilege you have to vote and work to put good people into leadership. But at the end of the day, trust that the final decision will come straight from the throne of heaven. And that’s wonderfully good news!