Jason Yates: God Is Not Surprised by the Election Results

November 9, 2018

John Quincy Adams, the sixth president of the United States was a committed Christian who knew what it was like to win and lose in politics. After all, his father was president before him. When asked why he continued to fight through opposition and even failure, Adams never wavered:

“Duty is ours, results are God’s.”

Tuesday, millions of Christians prayed and voted, getting up off the sidelines to do our civic duty and casting our votes for biblical values.

Of the more than 70,000 races nationwide — local school board, municipal, state, judicial, U.S. House and Senate — chances are not all elections went the way you voted.

But the results were not our responsibility. Our responsibility was seizing the opportunity to vote.

Galatians 6:10 is one of my favorite verses: “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith” (ESV).

While the context of the verse isn’t addressing voting per se, the apostle Paul’s instruction encompasses every aspect of a believer’s life. Thankfully, in America, voting is our opportunity to take action and peacefully strive to bring good — the good of our faith — into our communities and our nation as an example to the world.

Jesus says in the latter half of Luke 12:48: “Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more” (ESV).

God has blessed America with beauty, diversity, wealth and influence. To be faithful stewards of such a gift, it is our duty to vote. This is a tangible way our faith can bring His good into our communities and country.

We were called to be faithful stewards — and leave the results up to Him.

Scripture is clear: “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God” (Romans 13:1 ESV).

What reassurance and peace to know we serve a sovereign God who is in complete control!

I encourage you to pray for your new leaders, regardless if they were the ones you voted for or not. Pray for them right now, even before they take their oath of office. Learn their names and the important issues they will impact. The effect this will have on your prayers and God’s answers cannot be overestimated.