If we believe God is sovereign, that He rules over all the affairs of men in this world then our answer must be God put Mr. Obama in office.  As difficult as that may be for some to accept, there is no alternative. God has ordained this president for His own reasons. He sovereignly exerts His power in every detail and sphere of human life, politics included.  Like it or not, this requires that we acknowledge that Mr. Obama is God’s choice for America at this particular time in history. 

Are you one of those who is concerned about the things that appear to be changing in the US as a result of the politics of President Obama?  You’re not alone!  A number of reasons have been offered that have caused some to be distraught over policy decisions that appear to be promoting some arguably unbiblical standards.  As a result of these perceptions even followers of Christ have appeared depressed, confused, and despondent. Yet, I would urge that our hope must rest in Christ alone.

The question we should ask ourselves as members of the church of Jesus Christ is who put Mr. Obama in the White House?  If we believe God is sovereign, that He rules over all the affairs of men in this world then our answer must be God put Mr. Obama in office.  As difficult as that may be for some to accept, there is no alternative. God has ordained this president for His own reasons. He sovereignly exerts His power in every detail and sphere of human life, politics included.  Like it or not, this requires that we acknowledge that Mr. Obama is God’s choice for America at this particular time in history.

So we ask why God would appoint a man as president who seems to advocate the demise of the Judeo-Christian influence in our country.

Some have said Mr. Obama is an instrument of God’s judgment to an unruly and hedonistic nation.  That may very well be so.  Myriads of theories have been proposed and discussed on this topic, but no one person or group of people has a definitive answer to this question.

What we can do is look for examples from Scripture for insights to grasp how believers are to respond to our political leaders whether good or evil.

The Egyptian pharaoh Ramses II is historically known as the despicable, inhumane leader who cruelly mistreated the Israelites.  God could have sent someone to free His chosen people earlier than He did, but instead he chose to allow their enslavement to last over four hundred years.  Moses was eventually chosen and sent to Egypt in God’s timing. However, Moses still had to wait patiently on God’s unfolding plan for the liberation of his fellow Israelites.  God said this about Pharaoh Ramses, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth” (Romans 9:17). How amazing that this mighty and royal pharaoh of the 19^th Dynasty of Egypt was created by God and raised up for what the Apostle Paul later called ‘dishonorable use’ that God might display His power through him.

Did Jeremiah or Daniel curse, criticize or attack King Nebuchadnezzar? No. Jeremiah fully understood Nebuchadnezzar’s role as the man God selected to fulfill the prophecies of judgment against Israel.  Surely the prophets and Israelites had good reason to be furious with such a proud king who was destroying their land, tearing away their liberties and prosperity, and interrupting their system of worship.  Yet didn’t God raise this pagan up to take Israel captive and fulfill His purposes of judgment for the rebellious covenant breaking nation of Israel?

Pontius Pilate was a calculating politician who was clearly driven by political expediency.  Jesus said of him, “You would have no authority over me unless it had been given to you from above.”  Here we clearly witness Jesus announcing that His father in heaven was the source of Pilate’s power to rule, more so, the One who gave Pilate the power to order the beating and crucifixion of God’s only Son.

Peter exhorted his fellow Christians to ‘honor the emperor’ (1 Peter 2:17).  When Peter wrote this, he was referring to Nero, the insane, brutal, blood thirsty ruler of the Roman Empire.  This raving madman whom Peter considered worthy of honor was the very one who later ordered his execution.

Paul the Apostle told us to pray for those in authority with our sights set on a particular objective; “That we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness” (I Timothy 2:2).  Can we live such lives of godliness and holiness without peace and quiet, while we’re politically oppressed, discriminated against, imprisoned, marginalized, over taxed and governed by corrupt magistrates and politicians?  The answer is an overwhelming ‘yes’ because these are the very circumstances Christianity thrived in, even exploded under in the first century.  The early church yearned for peace and tranquility in order that its members might live quiet lives in the fear of God, and God kept them and emboldened their resolve in the midst of great political and religious persecution.  They demonstrated that godly and holy living can flourish, even when peace and religious freedoms are withheld.

Consider, also, the story in Mark 8, when Jesus told Peter, “I must suffer many things, be rejected by the elders and chief priests and be killed.”  Peter thought he had a better plan in mind, one that involved no such hardship or death for Jesus.  Peter’s plan likely involved Jesus establishing Himself as a just and noble ruler in Israel who’d liberate its people from scandalous, greedy politicians who cared nothing for God’s kingdom.  Jesus quickly showed Peter that his agendas were aligned with the plans and hopes of men, not the things of God.  Isn’t it possible that we as Christians can become caught up in our own personal vision for our country’s political future instead of God’s priorities for the nation?

Lest we find ourselves fighting against God and His strategies, we must continually go back to the Scriptures and see that God so often uses wicked men to awaken, humble and even purify the motives of selfish, complacent hearts.

Solomon recalled how he would be disciplined when he sinned against God.  “When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men” (2 Samuel 7:14). There’s no mistaking here that Solomon and his successors were dealt with enemies that God Himself raised up in order to punish disloyalty and order them aright (See 1 Kings 11:14, 23, 26, 31, 39; 1 Kings 12:15).

The United States is not Israel or its equivalent; it is not a theocracy as Israel was designed to be. Yet, is it altogether impossible to consider that God would use the scourge of unbelieving rulers to subdue a people as He sees fit?  Isn’t it possible that God raised up Mr. Obama for this very time, perhaps to turn the tide in America against our personal and collective freedoms?  Instead of a hateful spirit against Mr. Obama we should pray and seek how God’s will is being accomplished.  Yes, we should resist evil and its influence at every opportunity, but if or when God gives us otherwise, we’re still compelled to honor the emperor (president).

Although some would prefer that Mr. Obama were out of office, we need to remember that our restricted insights pale in comparison to the all-knowing, all wise God who sees the end from the beginning.  His purposes are much higher than our desires for lower taxes, a better economy, and the right to collect social security when we retire.  The Bible tells us that His purposes involve the advancement of His glory, that he desires the holiness and sanctification in His people, and that he knows best how to bring all of this about.  He promises us that, “He judges the peoples with uprightness” (Psalm 9:8).

While it is still day we remind ourselves that our real home is in heaven, that great and lasting city whose builder and maker is God.  The yearning within us for freedom and liberty was placed there by God but to be governed in true justice and righteousness will be fulfilled beyond this lifetime.  Until we’re in the presence of Jesus, we should expect to be governed by imperfect, sinful men whom God wisely employs to manifest His divine will and providence on the earth.  Our confidence is that our great God will continue to appoint princes, prime ministers and presidents, but to Him belong all the kingdoms, the power and the glory, forever and ever, Amen!

K.A. Peck is a member of North Oaks Community Church (EPC) in Clarkston, Michigan.