So Obama has 4 more years, now what?

One of the greatest freedoms we have been given as Americans is the freedom to vote for the President of the United States. Only a little over half of the registered voters in the US actually take this freedom seriously. It is estimated that only 60% voted in the 2012 presidential election. If this figure is accurate, then it was 30% of the registered voters of America that chose Mr. Obama to take the reigns of our government for the next four years. This is not the only way Americans show their apathy toward the freedoms we all enjoy, but it is certainly a significant one.  

As I was pondering these numbers, I began to consider if we as Christians do the same with the Word of Life we have been given by the supreme ruler of the universe. 

Revelation 4:11
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

God has created everything, including you and I, for His purposes, for His pleasure. What does He ask of us? To give Him our broken lives, our ashes, and in return He will give us beauty; to give our mourning and in return to receive joy unspeakable; to give Him our spirit of heaviness and receive of Him in return a garment of praise; to show forth His praises who has called us out of darkness and into his marvelous light; to continue the ministry that He began, to seek and to save the lost, the hurting, the broken; to love God with all our hearts, and to love our neighbors as we do ourselves; to serve our generation, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord; to work while it is dark, for the night is coming when no man shall work. It may seem overwhelming until we consider that even the sufferings of this present life are not worthy to be compared to the glory that will one day be revealed in those who serve Him! 

Daniel 4:35
... and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

Daniel 2:21
And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:

Daniel 4:17
This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men. 

God is a sovereign God, and He does things for His own purpose. We often question the things He allows, or does, or His purpose for doing so, but in the end His ways are higher than ours and His thought are far beyond our understanding, and we are better all around to allow God to be God. We are never asked to understand His ways!

I Timothy 2:1-4
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.  

As Americans we have the freedom not only to vote, but also to think and speak the way we want, and we often exercise that right no matter who is offended. I wonder if this is how God would have us to act. Paul wrote to Timothy , on the heels of chapter one, to "First of all" pray for all those who are in authority. Why? That we might live a quiet and peaceable life. The witnesses written about in Hebrews chapter 11 certainly did not have the type of rule we desire to have. Have we as Christians adopted a love of ease and replaced the good fight of faith? Are we spiritually prepared for what may lay ahead? As Christians how should we act? How much time do we spend complaining vs. how much time we spend on our knees asking God to direct the affairs of our leaders? Do we truly believe God is on charge here or do we believe our leaders are in charge? The Bible does not speak favorably of those who despise government (2 Peter 2:10). 

As Americans we should vote, and even do our best to persuade others to vote with us, as long as it is done honestly and in a respectful manner. As Christians we should believe and trust God is in charge, and we should do the things He has asked of us, no matter how pleased or displeased we may be. If we believe God is in charge, how about we act like He is in charge? 

Let us love God with all our hearts, love and provoke one another to good works, and let us pray for our leaders that we may live in peace.