GOD'S CHOICE FOR PRESIDENT

Our pastor forwarded this email to our church members today. I found comfort in it and thought I would share it.

These words from Pastor Daron Lindemann of Grace Lutheran Church in Milwaukee, WI seem especially timely and reassuring:

If God could vote, how many electoral votes would his allegiance be worth?

So, really, who does God want to be the next president of the United States? Some might think that God wants John McCain to be president. Others might think that God wants Barack Obama to be president. In either case, supporters of a particular candidate often see that candidate as the great savior of the nation, and see the other candidate as the death of the country.

Putting our hope in mere mortals, seeking to accomplish our dreams through logically devised government structure, counting on the zeal and ideals of a particular candidate to turn around our country, relying on the promises of a politician to bring prosperity to our land - these are sinful delusions of a people who are too proudly caught up in the human nature, which eventually fails. It becomes corrupt, it weakens to inability, it easily gives in to lucrative offers, it follows selfish ambition.

The secret to success in our land is no particular person, no particular party, no particular platform. If we depend on these things they will fail us, so our God mercifully intervenes and turns our plans topsy-turvy. He leads us to fall on our knees and say, "Lord, we need you to turn this country around." He even empties our hands of what we like, so he can fill them with what we need.

Our greatest help is in God. He is always truthful. He is all knowing and wise. He is compassionate beyond imagination. He forgives foolish mistakes; he delivers from death and hell; he blesses with what is truly good. He'll use any candidate in any government in any country for his saving plans. He never fails, and is always faithful. Whoever becomes our next president, and however it happens, let's remember that God cares for this country because it is filled with people who need his love.

Psalm 33 says, "The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his own strength. A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite its strength it cannot save. We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love rest on upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you."

PRAYER: O King of kings, on behalf of our country we come to you in humble repentance for our sinful pride that sees our deliverance in our own strength; break our bonds of self assurance by your beautiful love. Lead us to trust in you, and to seek your grace and goodness. Define our country's prosperity according to your wisdom and not our selfishness. Defend our land against all evil as you see our worst enemies. Design our days to be filled with your grace, and our country to be a peaceful place to live. Amen.