“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;” Daniel 2:21
“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
As I write this my 2026 primary election voting information guide sits nearby. It lists 61 candidates for governor of California. Yes, 61. By the time you read this, the top two candidates will have been decided.
There was a time that I would fret over and engross myself in the politics of elections. I don’t find myself doing that anymore. Partially because our voting process in my state has become corrupted. But mostly because I realize the limited power I have in the outcome. I vote and encourage others to vote. In the end, I rest on the truth of one of God’s most important characteristics – His sovereignty.
El Elyon
“And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” Genesis 14:20
That “God Most High” translates to “El Elyon.” It means the God over all rulers and authorities. There is no one higher up. No other supervisor to move your request or complaint to. He is it.
It wasn’t until I completed Kay Arthur’s, “Lord, I Want To Know You” study on the names of God that I fully grasped what it means for God to be sovereign. Soon after, I was engrossed in a Precept study of Isaiah. In that book you come upon scripture that says things like, “Go tell this people: ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ Make the heart of this people calloused; make their ears dull and close their eyes.” (Isaiah 6:9-10)
Which left me wondering why God would close the eyes and ears of certain people. He did the same with Pharaoh and I suspect with a few of Jesus’ friends, the Pharisees. He does the same still today.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.” Isaiah 55:8
And there was my answer. If I bow down to the Sovereign Lord, I must accept that He sees the greater, better plan. He is moving pieces on the board I can’t even see. For reasons which may only be revealed after I am long gone from this life.
He Chooses Leaders
The other aspect of this was found in another Isaiah passage: “who says of Cyrus, ‘He is my shepherd and will accomplish all that I please; he will say of Jerusalem, “Let it be rebuilt,” and of the temple, “Let its foundations be laid.”’Isaiah 44:28
Why was this important? Because Isaiah wrote God’s words about Cyrus around 160 years before Cyrus was even known to the Israelites. About 130 years before he was even born!
We read the same prophecies of future kings, military leaders and other rulers throughout the book of Daniel and the prophets. God firmly establishes His role as the Most High God who is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes. (Daniel 4:25)
So back to the election. Of course, I want to see a person in my state capitol who loves the Lord. Who obeys the will of the people. Who wants to make life for its citizens better, not repressive. I also know that God will place whomever He chooses in the governor’s seat.
His Will Be Done
“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:21
He will use every means to bring about His purposes. Unfortunately, my state is ruled with an iron fist by unbelievers. So, I have come to the acceptance that the voters may get exactly who they want– someone who institutes God’s punishment, whether he or she realizes it or not.
As believers, our place in this increasingly foreign world is not to be paralyzed by our pagan governments. We are to pray for God’s mercy. We pray for repentance of our people. We continue to do God’s will by sharing the Gospel, in some cases under the threat of death or imprisonment.
Just last year after completing that Isaiah study, I started praying for my federal, state, and local leaders. I pray they will bend their will to God. That they would know the One True God. And I pray they would repent and ask for mercy.
We can be bold in our faith in a faithless community because we understand and fully accept that God’s Will, will in fact be done.
Yes, we acknowledge that even weak, ineffective, greedy, ruthless, leaders hold their place because God has allowed them to. It’s not hard to look around and answer the “why?” One need only read of the Israelites constant acceptance of sinful leaders during their own times of disobedience to God. The world’s countries are now filled to the brim with unbelievers seeking their own will.
The Final Word
But Friends, there is a caveat to Romans 13. Let’s not forget Acts 5:29 when the apostles declared: “We must obey God rather than human beings!” How is that the standard? By remembering who is the final authority over all rulers; where the buck actually stops. God.
So for those of you in the United States, as we enter yet another election season do not fear. If the outcome isn’t what you hoped, we can know who really is in charge. And those of you under repressive governments I pray for God to open the eyes and hearts of the people. For a groundswell of the faithful to spread God’s truth.
His rule and reign will one day become evident to all. And every single knee will bow to the Sovereign King.
“For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.” Romans 11:36
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