Does God Pick Presidents?
A c ommentary by Howard Davis
United Church of God elder, Portland, Oregon
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 Bible 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
4:17).
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 Bible
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 9:16).
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 45:1). 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 36:23).
Students of Bible 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).
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 Testament principles directly to much of colonial law, even
quoting Scripture in their legislation.
There is much evidence in the Scriptures 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 Scriptures, 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
8:4). 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, emphasis
added).
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 22:42). We learn God's will by reading
and understanding His Word, the Bible.
 So let me suggest a wonderfully simple way to begin truly understanding
God's will from the Bible. Just request or study online our
knowledge-packed, yet easy-to-read, stimulating and completely free
Bible Study Course.
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