A number of our presidents were adulterers, including Bill Clinton, John F. Kennedy, Dwight Eisenhower, Warren Harding, Woodrow Wilson, James Garfield, Lyndon Johnson, and FDR. And of course we have had other presidents who were less than shining examples of morality, e.g. Richard Nixon, the liar whose “I am not a crook” speech is famous. Am I saying it doesn’t matter if our president is immoral or a drunkard? No. Just don’t forget who is in control.

I hear so many people express fear about the future of this country if the wrong man gets elected President.

Don’t get me wrong. I would love to see a godly humble Christian president in office. And I shudder at the thought of some of the current candidates becoming President.

But one thing many people seem to forget is that this country has had many seriously wicked presidents yet God has sustained this nation despite them.

A number of our presidents were drunkards. According to different sources I read some of these presidential drunkards include John Adams, Martin Van Buren, Franklin Pierce, James Buchanan (reportedly he went to a distillery every Sunday morning and picked up a 10 gallon jug of whiskey*). Also… Ulysses S Grant, Chester A Arthur, Grover Cleveland, William Howard Taft and Franklin D Roosevelt.

A number of our presidents were adulterers, including Bill Clinton, John F. Kennedy, Dwight Eisenhower, Warren Harding, Woodrow Wilson, James Garfield, Lyndon Johnson, and FDR.

And of course we have had other presidents who were less than shining examples of morality, e.g. Richard Nixon, the liar whose “I am not a crook” speech is famous.

Am I saying it doesn’t matter if our president is immoral or a drunkard? No. Just don’t forget who is in control. The Bible says:

He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding DA 2.21

…but it is God who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another. PS 75.7

The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will. PR 21.1

This country has had many seriously wicked presidents yet God has sustained this nation despite them.

So what should we do? Pray that God will give us godly leaders. Pray that God will move the hearts of the leaders we have to promote righteousness and life. And trust God. Don’t be fearful. The President isn’t in control. The living God is in control. Jesus Christ, who sits on the throne of heaven is Lord of Lords and King of Kings. And he’s not worried about the outcome of the election.

Mark Altrogge has been the senior pastor of Sovereign Grace Church of Indiana, PA for over 25 years, and is the author of many well known worship songs such as “I Stand In Awe”, and “In The Presence”. This article first appeared on his blog and is used with permission.