God and governments

How is voting not more than a guessing game of who God has decided already to put in? I was shocked after a conservative judge said gays could take pride in a ruling redefining sex. God must somehow be behind this decision since God’s permissive will is still his will. So, what do you think God is doing? I know he will work it out for our good, but do you have any ideas besides that? And it kind of makes no sense to vote, does it, because God really does the picking? It seems voting puts our trust in our ability to pick, because God’s will may be way different than who we want in or think will be best in God’s plan of salvation. Thanks for reading this.

What can help sort things out is keeping in mind that there is a great difference between God’s foreknowledge and people’s actions. God certainly knows everything that is going to take place, but that is quite different from God pre-determining people’s actions—which he does not do. There is a difference between foreknowing and predetermining. God gives people a great deal of freedom to make decisions regarding their earthly life and circumstances. Electing governmental officials is one of those areas of freedom.

Regardless of how people use their freedom in electing governmental officials, God will certainly carry out his good and gracious will; he will do everything for the good of his Church. Beyond that, we cannot pretend to know which specific good things God might bring from individual actions like a judicial opinion.

Voting is a civic responsibility and privilege. If you choose not to vote in an election, you really forfeit your say and provide the potential for others to impact your life because of the votes they cast and the outcome of an election.

Rather than using Scripture as their guide, governments operate on the basis of human reason and human law. As there can be weaknesses with those sources, it is not surprising to be disappointed by governments and governmental officials. That is why it is so important to carry out this instruction: “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness” (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

The King of kings, Jesus, will never disappoint us.