Sarah Palin is taking flak for her recent interview with James Dobson, the bellwether of the religious right. She told Dobson that the election is in God’s hands. Critics were quick to note that if Obama wins, then God must be a Democrat.
Anyone who is pro-life, anti-homosexual, and pro-heterosexual marriage will be vilified by the secular progressives who consider any reference to God a huge joke. Palin believes something and knows what she believes, and that usually drives liberals crazy. Just to mention God in an election context is total absurdity to them.
Thankfully, Palin has some strong biblical and family values instead of the usual political relativity, which prefers drifting with the cultural current instead of anchoring to the Rock of Ages. Further, she is unashamed to articulate her convictions when directly asked, a rare quality these days.
Peter Marshall, the great Senate chaplain, once said in a prayer, “…unless we stand for something we will fall for anything.” He also said, “One person with a belief is equal to a force of ninety-nine who have only interests.” Years ago, a prominent member of the British Parliament regularly went to hear an illiterate minister preach. When asked why, he declared, “I don’t believe what he believes, but he believes what he believes, and every so often I want to hear someone say what he believes.”
Critics of Palin’s statement that the election is in the hands of God ignore the delicate balance between divine foreknowledge and human choice. Palin doesn’t know the outcome of the election even though she hopes to win. As a Christian believer, she can rest in Romans 8:28: “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Daniel served in pagan Babylon’s political system and even wrote of God’s doings “…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). Sarah Palin probably feels that she needs to do her personal and spiritual best and leave the results with God.
The presidential race doesn’t have to be “either God does it or voters do it,” not “either… or” but “both… and.” A friend of mine wrote a book in which he outlines the biblical concept of “delegated sovereignty” regarding men’s seeming free will. In Eden, God permitted a free choice of delegated sovereignty in allowing Adam to have dominion and subdue his environment. In Christian liberty, He grants us freedom of choice in obedience. And in human government, especially in the United States with our electoral system, he makes civil servants “ministers” according to Romans 13:4-7:
“For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.”
Years ago, I ran for a position on our local school board. I never asked the Lord to make me win but to help me be faithful in running an honorable and fervent campaign. I had responded to a call for civic service. When I lost, I could live with knowing I had done my best. As I later told my story in churches and groups, several Christians ran for their own local school boards and won. One even became school board president. Romans 8:28 was fulfilled since my running for school board worked for good in the end even though I lost.
Win or lose, Sarah Palin believes God’s Word in Psalm 103:19: “The Lord has established His throne in heaven, And His kingdom rules over all.”
Dave Virkler
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