Erdogan. Hussein. Trump. Obama.

What do all the above men have in common? They were all elected rulers of their nations. And the citizens of their nations (Turkey, Iraq, USA) all went to the polls to cast their votes for their choice for their highest leader.

But there are several deep truths that are often lost when we think about elections for any public office, particularly in America. So with Election Day around the corner, let’s explore these truths and why your vote counts… but for very different reasons than you think.

Your Vote Does NOT Ultimately Decide the Election

Sometimes a negative example can help us illustrate a positive truth. So let me try to do so.

Saddam Hussein, the former president of Iraq, seemed to always win, regardless of his devious nature and evil pursuits. His citizens voted, but their vote did not ultimately decide the election. Saddam Hussein always determined the outcome. This same reality could be said for many evil dictators.

While there is no comparing Saddam Hussein with God, there is a lesson to learn here. God allows you and me to vote freely, but ultimately it is His sovereign, just, and perfect will that determines the outcome. This truth is affirmed throughout Scripture, but here is just one verse that teaches this truth:

“He [God] removes kings and sets up other kings…” —Daniel 2:21

So if you’ve thought your vote for or against a particular candidate was the reason he or she won or lost, think again… unless you think you can outvote God.

Voting is Your Obligation

So if God choses our rulers, is there really any reason to vote? If His will is going to prevail, what’s the use in my even going to the polls?

We have been given not only a right to vote in America but, more importantly, an obligation has been entrusted to us by God. So when it comes to voting, I’m reminded of the verse, “To whom much is given, much is required” (Luke 12:48).

In Matthew 25, there is a story told by Jesus about three servants to whom their master gave varying resources to manage. They were each rewarded, or punished, based on how they stewarded the resources they were given. Likewise, God has granted to us the obligation to select those who would seek to rule over us. Failing to vote is shirking an obligation that God has provided to you. Just as the servants received a reward or punishment based on their choices, likewise our vote will carry with it a similar response from God.

Do You Pass the Test?

So far we have established that 1) God, for His own particular reasons, has already determined the outcome of each election, and 2) we should still vote to fulfill our obligation. So if these are both true, does it matter who I vote for?

Absolutely. And here’s why.

Each time you cast a vote for anyone, you are revealing what is in your heart. Your vote for a politician is just like a politician’s vote for a piece of legislation. His vote and yours reveal what you both value and prioritize.

When we vote, we have the opportunity to affirm good and reject or expose evil as we see in Ephesians 5:10-11:

“Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them.”

If a would be elected official is known by his “worthless deeds of evil or darkness,” then our vote will either reject or affirm such.

So every time we vote, we are actually being tested by God Himself. We either pass or fail, and there’s no grading on a curve.

When we enter the voting booth, we reveal our priorities. But are our priorities God’s priorities? Are our values His values? Do we honestly seek to align what we are prioritizing with what Scripture instructs us to affirm or reject?

I can personally attest to the fact that as one spends more and more time seeking God’s instruction and direction, many of the issues that seemed to be priorities, as a Republican, independent, conservative, or even liberal, will begin to crumble under the scrutiny of Scripture.

Voting for the “Lesser of Two Evils”

Over the years, I, and many others, sadly defaulted to voting for a candidate we had serious issues with, simply because we disliked his opponent even more. So we succumb to selecting the “lesser of two evils.” But when we do so, we invariably reveal that we do not believe God when He said that “He removes kings and raises up kings.” Or we question God when He affirms that “The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the Lord; He guides it wherever He pleases” (Proverbs 21:1).

Invariably, when we vote for the “lesser of two evils" we sacrifice values that we claim are important to us. In so doing we attempt to play "god” with our “lesser evil” choice, even though such a candidate likely has positions or values that are at odds with God’s values.

This approach demonstrates a lack of trust in God and in His ability to elevate or put down a king and direct the heart of the ruler. But a vote for a “lesser evil” also reveals that we are willing to prefer the temporal (winning an election to advance some political agenda) over the eternal of affirming God’s principles.

So at the end of the day, it’s critical that you vote. But hopefully you’ve been challenged to reconsider why, how, and for whom you vote. The ultimate Judge is keeping score. You and I can pass the test if we seek His ways versus our own.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.” —Proverbs 3:5-6