Does God Pick Presidents?

All three U.S. presidential candidates profess to believe in God and Jesus Christ. Each requests His blessing on the nation, exclaiming at the end of speeches, "May God Bless America!!!" Therefore it's appropriate to ask the serious question: Does God involve Himself in the selection of national leaders?

Some pertinent examples can be helpful.

The BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. records that Nebuchadnezzar, a powerful ruler over the Babylonian Empire 500 years before Christ, received a vision from God. The prophet Daniel interpreted this dream. Daniel explained that God gave Nebuchadnezzar this vision "... in order that the living may know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, gives it to whomever He will, and sets over it the lowest of men" (Daniel 4:17This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.
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As implied in Daniel's words, Nebuchadnezzar was not a nice man. He threw people alive into hot furnaces if they didn't bow to his idol. He threatened all of his advisors with mass murder if they didn't interpret his dream.

America has never experienced such a violent ruler. Yet, the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. clearly shows that at times God will place really bad leaders in positions of great power for the explicit purpose of fulfilling His plans.

This was certainly true of the Pharaoh of the Exodus whose heart God hardened time after time until Egypt was humbled for its evil treatment of God's people, Israel. God sent Moses to tell Pharaoh: "…indeed for this purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth" (Exodus 9:16And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.
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God has also been directly involved in elevating individuals to very prominent positions on other occasions. He inspired the prophet Isaiah to announce far in advance the rise to power of Cyrus the Great to fulfill His purpose (Isaiah 45:1Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;
See All...). It was a century and half later when God gave Cyrus power over the Persian Empire.

Cyrus acknowledged God's purpose for his life by sending a royal proclamation throughout his empire: "All the kingdoms of the earth the Lord God of heaven has given me. And He has commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem which is in Judah. Who is among you of all His people? May the Lord his God be with him, and let him go up!" (2 Chronicles 36:23Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth hath the LORD God of heaven given me; and he hath charged me to build him an house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all his people? The LORD his God be with him, and let him go up.
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Students of BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. prophecy also know that in the last days God will even allow a religious figure called "the man of sin" to be empowered by Satan. Through skillful deception this man will pretend to be God and deceive many into worshipping him (2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 [1] Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
[2] That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
[3] Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
[4] Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
[5] Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
[6] And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
[7] For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
[8] And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
[9] Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
[10] And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
[11] And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
[12] That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

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Prayers concerning national leaders

Since the founding of America's colonies over three centuries ago, Americans have appealed to God in their selection of leaders. Pilgrims believed that their civic leaders were servants of God and appealed to Christ to guide them. They looked for biblical standards of leadership in their civic and political leaders. They applied Old TestamentThose books that make up the Hebrew Bible generally accepted by Christians, Jews and to some extent Muslims. It contains a threefold division: the Law (the five books of Moses), the Prophets and the Writings. principles directly to much of colonial law, even quoting ScriptureThe divinely inspired writings of both the Old and New Testaments. The term Scripture is used in the New Testament to refer to both the Hebrew Bible (Luke 24:44-45) and the new apostolic writings accepted as inspired (2 Peter 3:16; 1 Timothy 5:18). in their legislation.

There is much evidence in the ScripturesThe divinely inspired writings of both the Old and New Testaments. The term Scripture is used in the New Testament to refer to both the Hebrew Bible (Luke 24:44-45) and the new apostolic writings accepted as inspired (2 Peter 3:16; 1 Timothy 5:18). that God can and sometimes does decide who will be the leading official of a nation. But He also allows people to pick national leaders whose values are not those taught in the Holy ScripturesThe divinely inspired writings of both the Old and New Testaments. The term Scripture is used in the New Testament to refer to both the Hebrew Bible (Luke 24:44-45) and the new apostolic writings accepted as inspired (2 Peter 3:16; 1 Timothy 5:18)., even to their detriment. He once criticized His own anciently chosen people with these words, "Israel has rejected the good ... They set up kings, but not by Me …" (Hosea 8:4They have set up kings, but not by me: they have made princes, and I knew it not: of their silver and their gold have they made them idols, that they may be cut off.
See All...). The lesson is plain. God only approves of those rulers who have not "rejected the good" as He defines it.

How should those who today respect God and the "good" that He teaches pray? The apostle Paul gives us this superb advice: "Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence" (1 Timothy 2:1-2 [1] I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
[2] For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

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Praying that God will give us leaders who will work to make it possible for us to live "a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence" is commendable and proper in God's eyes. But first we must begin learning and practicing His will if we expect Him to hear our prayers. Even Jesus, having complete faith in God's decisions, prayed "not My will, but Yours, be done" (Luke 22:42Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
See All...). We learn God's will by reading and understanding His Word, the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ..