Devotional Word for Tuesday, November 3, 2020
During our last devotional time, we looked at the Heidelberg Catechism question 26 which looked at what we understand as we affirm the Apostle’s Creed when it speaks of God the Father. Part of the answer dealt with providence. That is to say that we believe that God governs all things by His eternal counsel and providence. Today, in question 27, the Heidelberg Catechism investigates this idea. The question says, “What do you understand by the providence of God?” The answer states, “The almighty and ever-present power of God whereby He still upholds, as it were by His own hand, heaven and earth together with all creatures, and rules in such a way that leaves and grass, rain and drought, fruitful and unfruitful years, food and drink, health and sickness, riches and poverty, and everything else, come to us not by chance but by his fatherly hand.” If only there was something going on today wherein it would be helpful to remember God’s providence.
Of course today is November 3, 2020 and it is election day. That means it is the day when eligible citizens of the United States have the awesome opportunity to take part in selecting their leaders. That is not only an amazing privilege it is a good thing to do. Unless you have had your head buried under ground, you have likely been overwhelmed with all of the political rhetoric, advertisements, and rigmarole (that is a technical term). How will providence help us to understand the outcome of the election? Easy, God will not be surprised by the outcome of this election. It could be that your candidate wins, but it could also be that your candidate loses. You might be surprised but God isn’t. He will continue to govern all things including the United States. He does so by His appointed leaders.
Folks who want to follow the Lord and take the Scriptures seriously must recognize God’s sovereign and providential control over all things. With respect to the election which is going on today, it means that Christians must recognize that those who win the election do so because the Lord has determined that it will be. Therefore, pray for your leaders. Pray for those who are in office currently and pray for those who are elected today. Pray that they would be surrounded by men and women who know the Lord and understand the times in which we live. Pray that those who are elected would work to write laws which would honor the Lord and promote righteousness. Pray that bad laws which promote sin would be removed.
What about if your candidate doesn’t win? Well, pray all the more. Beyond prayer, remember that the Lord Jesus after his death, resurrection, and ascension is seated at the right hand of God the Father and is ruling the universe. Christians, whether your candidates win or lose, remember that king Jesus reigns eternally and rejoice.