How Shall We Vote?

This has been one of the most contentious political campaigns  in our country's history.  It isn't your imagination that it seems to be mostly a negative one.  Things have been said, charges have been hurled, and suggestions have been made that have cast mud on almost every contender in the country, from those who would be dogcatcher or residents of the oval office.  It seems that candidates understand that there is so much at stake that they are willing to spend millions simply to vilify the other guy (or gal).  And the rest of us just can't wait until it is over and the dust settles and the signs disappear, and the big cards stop filling our mailboxes,  and the incessant ads go away.  But we aren't there yet.  Most of us still have to cast a vote--or many votes.  So, as we enter that little booth with pen in hand, what should we be thinking of?  As always, my strong recommendation to every disciple of Jesus Christ is this: vote your values, your beliefs, your convictions.  The pressing issues in our minds may be jobs, the economy, the national debt, the___________ (fill in the blank).  But mature believers realize that above the pressing issues is the ultimate issue.  What ultimate issue?  Dr. David Jeremiah put it like this:  "I've been asked this question over and over again: 'Dr. Jeremiah, do you think God is finished with America?' But that is the wrong question. The right question is, ''Is America finished with God?' Over these next days as we pray....and vote, we can send a strong message to the watching world that we are still one nation under God."  Never forget that great national blessing the Bible gives to all of us: "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord!"  And especially don't forget it when you enter the ballot box on Tuesday!  When a candidate demonstrates by the issues he supports and the causes  he champions that he  really isn't interested in what God has said but instead stands behind whatever issues will get him the most votes he should not be sitting behind a desk in the White House.  And our votes can keep that from happening.

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