Does God Make Unlikely Choices?

National election 2024 is just around the corner, and many voters have already cast their ballot.  Meanwhile, America is deeply divided over which presidential ticket would best serve our country for the next four years.  Although there is heightened confusion due to media bias and an abundance of rancor on both sides, the platforms of Trump-Vance and Harris-Walz leave no doubt about the contrast in their respective values. 

The Trump-Vance platform defends the sanctity of human life while respecting the life of the mother and father; it supports limited government regulation, reigning in diversity-equity-inclusion (DEI) programs, supporting school choice, and protection of freedoms under the U.S. Constitution.  Trump-Vance also favors strengthening our borders and emphasizing “peace through strength” to avoid foreign wars.  We have elaborated on these and other contrasts between Trump-Vance and Harris-Walz elsewhere.  [Click HERE to read more.]

Right to Sit Out the Election?
In spite of the contrast between presidential tickets, shocking statistics from George Barna at Arizona Christian University (ACU), estimate that "as many as 41 million Christians plan to sit this election out — more than enough to hand the country’s keys to the eager and radical Left."  [Read more HERE.]   Christians are apparently choosing not to vote either out of apathy or for one of two other reasons.  They are either confused about how to view the candidates and the issues from a biblical framework or they dislike both tickets.  

Len Munsil, president of ACU believes many Christian voters are “longing for their local church to instruct them on how to think biblically about policy and politics. They don't want to be told how to vote but they do want to know why they should vote and how to view political issues from a biblical framework." [Read more HERE.]

Pray for our pastors to have courage to lead and inform their "sheep" who want to understand how to choose and vote wisely and consistently with biblical values.  Understandably, evangelical pastors should want to keep the message of the Gospel of salvation front and center.  However, the New Testament Scriptures commands Christ-followers to respect those in authority and to respect government which is established by God. 

During the first century AD when these Scriptures were written, Christians were ruled by unelected officials.  Now that we have the freedom and right to vote there is no excuse for not taking seriously our privilege and responsibility to cast our votes. The following Scriptures written by the Apostle Paul required of first-century Christians then, and now us today, to give attention and respect to our government leaders for a higher purpose (emphasis added):

First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.  This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time… Therefore, I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension.  – 1 Timothy 2: 1-8

Notice that God desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.  It seems obvious that Christ-followers should exercise stewardship of their freedom to vote in a way that elects men and women whose policies will sustain a society in which the Gospel can be preached and biblical values can be promoted as a way of life in America.  But what about those who say, “I don’t like either candidate!”

But I Don’t Like Either Candidate!
We have seen that God commands us to pray for all men and for kings in authority.  In Romans 13, the Apostle Paul elaborates on this command (emphasis added):   Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities.  For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God (v. 1)... as a minister of God to you for good (v. 4a). 

If no authority is established without God’s will, and if God’s purpose is that our leaders be those who are “ministers to us for good,” then we are responsible to use our God-given freedom to elect “good leaders.”  But you may ask, what if I see no “good” in either candidate?  To which we would reply, is there ever such a candidate who is perfect in every way, gentle, likeable, agreeable in political philosophy, etc.?  And, is our choice (or refusal to choose) consistent with the choice that God would consider “for the good” of unborn human life?  Or for the “good” for establishing law and order, legal due process, respect for our nation’s borders, and respect for those desiring immigration while protecting them from child traffickers and other consequences of being incentivized to leave their homeland and family?

We do not believe that it is violating God’s laws to vote for an imperfect candidate whose policies are the most consistent with biblical morality.  We should also consider the trajectory of the character of the candidates:  Which has demonstrated the most consistent character qualities, maturity in his or her behavior, consistent position on important policies, and experience befitting the office of President?  Beyond that, we should be careful not to withhold support for a candidate who, though not perfect, has the most God-honoring traits—e.g. love for family, for children both born and unborn, for the American people and our nation, for those in authority, and for biblical values.

Some Unlikely People God Has Chosen
Granted, we cannot be sure who God would choose.  However, the Bible provides details of a rich history of God choosing men and women from all walks of life, socioeconomic status, and political persuasion.   Read on for a few examples:

I was extremely wealthy, but I was a liar. I married a beautiful woman, but when she could not give me a son, I chose to have sex with another woman who gave me a son—and many headaches along with him.  But God patiently nurtured my faith in Him.  By His mercy and grace, God gave me another son through whom I became the “father of many nations” through my descendant, Jesus Christ (Genesis 12, 16, 21).  – Abraham

I was a trickster from birth, stole the inheritance from my twin brother, cheated my employer, and wrestled with God through most of my life.  Then, one night I literally wrestled with God until finally my hip was dislocated and I have walked with a limp ever since.  But by God’s mercy, I became humble and obedient, and He gave me a new name.  (Genesis 25, 27, 32)  – Israel (Jacob, “the deceiver.”) 

I was a prince, but also a murderer, a coward, a short-tempered man, and one who could not speak well, especially in crowds (Exodus 2, 3).  But God used me to lead a nation of several million out of slavery in Egypt.   – Moses

I was a prostitute who unknowingly welcomed some men into my home, but they only propositioned me for information.  By faith in the God of Israel, I risked my life to help them.  Then, I hung out a red ribbon which became my salvation when God’s army came to destroy my city (Joshua 2, 6).  By God’s grace and mercy, I became the great grandmother of Jesse, the father of King David.   -- Rahab

I was a shepherd, a musician, a writer, a warrior, and a king.  But I became proud of my accomplishments and stole a man’s wife, then killed him to cover up my affair.  Yet, by His rich mercy, God sent a prophet to confront me about my sin.  I repented and was forgiven (Psalm 51).  God remembered His covenant throughout my royal line until, centuries later, my descendant named Jesus was born, “King of the Jews.”  -- David

I was a heathen king of the Empire of Babylon.  I erected an idyllic image of myself and commanded the people to worship me with the threat that I would cremate anyone alive who refused—and I carried out this wicked threat.  But when I became so proud, God humbled me to the point that I became as a wild beast, my body covered with hair, my fingernails as bird claws.  I ate grass like the cattle and was humbled until God in His mercy, restored me to authority where I proclaimed that He only is the righteous Creator to whom all honor is due (Daniel 4: 34-37). –King Nebuchadnezzar

I was a despised tax collector for the Romans, named Levi.  I padded my life with stolen and undeserved excesses in monies extracted from my poor countrymen and women.  Jesus, knowing all about me, came to my tax office and said, “Follow Me.”  I got up and followed Him.  Later, God allowed me to use my gifts under the inspiration of His Holy Spirit to write what became the first gospel in the New Testament.   – Matthew

Watch video of the call of Jesus to Matthew – Click HERE

I was a Jewish leader (a Pharisee), a scholar and religious teacher.  But when I learned that an itinerant preacher had started a peaceful ‘revolution’ of sorts, I began to round up His followers, called “Christians,” and imprison them.  I even held the coats of my countrymen while they stoned to his death a Christ-follower named Stephen.  But God, “being rich in mercy,” although I was dead in my sin, made me alive with Christ and used me to spread the Gospel of Christ throughout the Roman Empire.  My message: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—and I am the worst of them (1 Timothy 1: 15)!”  – the Apostle Paul (formerly, Saul)

I was born and raised on a family farm.  My parents introduced me to God by taking my sister, brother, and I to church every Sunday.  For years, I wondered how I could be good enough to please God.  Meanwhile, I broke each one of the Ten Commandments in thought if not in action.  Then, I was introduced to the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ who died for my sin.  I still face the challenge of sin and temptation, but God has given me the power and victory over my sin nature, the grace and forgiveness I need through Christ’s shed blood when I confess my failings, and a loving family and church to encourage me along the way.  – John Silvius

Lessons from God’s Unlikely Choices
Now that you have read brief accounts of several men and women whom God chose, let’s consider a few questions: 
1)   How would you compare the character and reputation of Donald Trump or Kamala Harris to yours, especially if you had walked in their shoes during the past decade or more? 
2)   How does the character of our presidential candidates each compare to the biblical characters listed above?
3)   Does the character and personality of either or both of our presidential candidates remind you of someone in your past that you liked or disliked?
4)   Is it possible that a person who refuses to study carefully and make distinctions between the presidential candidates could be contradicting the record of how God chose men and women for His purposes in the past?   

Maybe the questions above and other questions can help us sort through our own values and past experiences and how these affect our voting preferences.  We may even discover that there are many other people besides the candidates are already making our lives difficult.  How should we respond?

Can’t stand your spouse?  
Pray for him or her.
Wondering why God hasn’t given you a better pastor? 
Pray for him and encourage him.
Don’t want your boss to “rule over you?”  
Ask God to help you know how to encourage him.
Can’t stand a presidential candidate?  
Pray for God’s work in his or her life.
Can’t bring yourself to vote for either candidate?
Pray and consider God’s purposes and “good” you might be opposing by your decision.

Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you.  Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful.  God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God. 
                                         – 1 Corinthians 1: 26-29

Will You Share Your Story?
How about your life story? 
Do you believe God has chosen you be a Christ-following disciple?  
Do you believe you are worthy of being chosen?  
How do you explain that God would choose you? 
For what purpose(s) has God chosen you?
What would God have you do now?

Please click on “Comments” below to share your story online, or write to me at silviusj@gmail.com.