We all should be excited about the outcome of the Iowa caucus….in spite of the controversy about cheating. Ted Cruz, who shows no shame in professing his faith, won the Republican vote with 28%. It seems he received more votes than anybody has ever received in an Iowa caucus before. God’s people turned out to vote, just as we prayed they would….How’s that for proof that prayer works?
All through the debates and even all the back-and-forth bickering and outrageous tantrums, it has been clear that God is listening to our cries for help. When have we ever had so many candidates running as we have had for this election?….Never. Most of them speak openly about their faith, and seem to realize the need for our country to turn back to God.
Centuries ago God’s people decided that they must have a king to be their leader. Samuel, the prophet, who had been their leader, tried to reason with them, but the people insisted on having a king like all the other nations had; someone to judge them and go out and fight their battles. God told Samuel to give the people what they wanted, but to tell them exactly what to expect from a king.
1 Samuel 8: 11 And he said, “This shall be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen, and some shall run before his chariots. 12 And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and will set them to plow his ground, and to reap his harvest; and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots. 13 And he will take your daughters to be confectionaries, and to be cooks, and to be bakers. 14 And he will take your fields and your vineyards, and your oliveyards, even the best of them and give them to his servants. 15 And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants. 16 And he will take your menservants and your maidservants, and your best young men and their asses, and put them to his work. 17 He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye shall be his servants.”
The Lord gave the people Saul to be their king. Though they had rebuked Him and turned away from His leadership, still the Lord gave them what they wanted…. but He chose who their king would be. Later, when Saul proved to be unfaithful, God chose David, a man who was dedicated to serving the Lord, to replace him.
I believe the Lord still chooses our leaders, just as He did for Israel. As long as we, His people, look to Him, pray for our country and repent of our evil ways, the Lord will hear and heal our land. So let us continue to pray for those seeking the office of President of the United States, that we might continue to see His hand at work. Even though Iowa is an important win, we still have 49 states to go. Whoever is chosen to be our President, let’s remember that Jesus is our King…. and to Him alone may all the glory be given.
