Well what I see as the most important election in America's history is coming up -- now in less than 3 weeks.  As Jesus told us to watch and pray, I force myself to watch the news.  Even though He told us to “watch,” Jesus never said I am to obsess over the news.  But as a result of “watching”, I catch myself railing at the ungodliness I see in our world and particularly, in our own country.  I find myself thinking everything would get better if THEY would just clean up their act.  If THEY would just recognize the Bible as truth as I do.  If THEY would stop supporting homosexuality, abortion and a whole host of other things.  Who is THEY anyway?  We always seem to use that nebulous term -- often when we are anxious or upset.  Do we mean the government?  Do we mean unbelievers?  All I know is that it’s so much easier to look to others for good, positive change, and so difficult to make it happen within our own selves.  

The point is that when I rail against the liars, the unbelievers who refer to themselves as “tolerant,” those who want so desperately to usher in socialism and perhaps even communism, it is unimaginably disgusting.  And yet the Lord reminds me that if I want to see healing for our nation, it is not up to THEM.  Whether or not I want the responsibility, I have to come to terms with the truth -- it is up to US.  It is up to those who are called by His name.  Yes, it is up to the Bible-believing Christians.  The healing of our nation which could keep us from going the way of Europe (Greece, for example) and the rest of the world will never be brought about by THEM, no matter who is elected.  It can only come when WE finally decide to humble ourselves.  

Oops -- do we really have to do that, Lord?  Yes, we do -- but that’s not all.  We have to pray and seek God’s face.  Oh but perhaps the most difficult requirement is the last one indicated by 2 Chronicles 7:14.  Oh no!  You mean if I want to see real, positive change in my country, the change must begin in me?  I’m supposed to turn from my wicked ways?  Me?  No more putting other things ahead of the Lord?  No more voting my pocket book?  You mean I have to pray for and actually forgive THEM -- the non-believers who lie continually and do such things as borrowing money in order to waste it, particularly on the pet projects of their cronies?  Yes.  And for a complete list of what turning from our wicked ways would take, I refer you to -- all of scripture.  

Okay, the good news.  While no one can perfectly live up to every admonition given in the Bible, the change starts in our hearts.  The real question is whether or not we are making a genuine effort to turn from our wicked ways.  Are we giving it our all?  Oh but it’s so much easier to criticize the other guy.  Aye, there’s the rub.  But it is possible --  “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.”  (Zech. 4:6)

So what if one of the the worst “what ifs” actually happens?  What if after all of the above, the election does not go the way we believe it should?  What if it’s God’s plan to allow America to go totally away from its founding principles?  What is unthinkable to our minds does not change the scripture.  The Bible will still be just as true as it is today -- no matter who wins in the election: “If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land.”  (Isaiah 1:19)  And believe it or not, the context of that verse is actually much worse than what’s going on in America right now.  Rebellion against God, the land filled with a “brood of evildoers”, an appearance of godliness but little sincerity.  Sound familiar?  God’s Word is true no matter who is in the White House, no matter who is in Congress.  

I hope things go our way, but if not, how will we respond?  If things do not go the way we think they should, then we continue to trust the Lord despite everything.  We say along with Jesus, “... nevertheless not my will but thine, be done.”  We continue to get into forgiveness as we continue to pray for THEM.