On the first Tuesday in November, Americans will cast their vote for the president of the United States. The elected individual will be considered the leader of the free world. The winner of the presidential election will be given the authority to govern the United States of America for a period of four years after which the electorate will have another opportunity to grant authority to someone to govern the country. In a democracy, we the people choose who we want to govern us. Or do we?
On the global scene, our form of government is unique. It is often referred to as an experiment. Down through history the world has witnessed a variety of governments: authoritarianism, tribalism, monarchy, oligarchy, dictatorship, theocracy and at times anarchy. These exist today, and we can identify countries that practice these various forms of government.
However, when exploring Scripture, it seems God is unaffected by our earthly forms. Regardless of the form, it is the Lord God who appoints those who govern over us.
“The most high is sovereign”
Daniel, a prisoner of war turned trusted government advisor who served four kings in two empires over a period of seven decades, makes an astonishing statement which reverberates down through history. Simply stated, all heads of state are appointed by God.
That is a jaw-dropping, eye-opening and gut-wrenching statement. The leader of every geopolitical country in the world is in their position of authority as an appointee of the Lord God himself. I can accept this truth when the candidate I voted for is in power. Maybe even if the alternative was not that bad an option. But when I consider the history of the world and the current nations of the world, is this still true?
When God gives Daniel the meaning of the King’s dream, he proclaims joyfully,
Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever;
wisdom and power are his.
He changes times and seasons;
he deposes kings and raises up others.
He gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to the discerning (Dan. 2:20-21).
Later when again interpreting a dream for the King, three times we read the phrase, “the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes” (Dan. 4:17,25, 32.)
It is not “we the people” but God who disposes and raises up those in authority. He appoints heads of state for a season. Nebuchadnezzar was not a godly king. His abuse, ruthless rule and egotistical attitudes and activities are well documented. Yet, he was appointed by God to govern.
No matter what your critical analysis is or your hermeneutical interpretation of the book of Daniel, this truth is abundantly clear. God is the one who appoints geopolitical leaders, not man.
Are ruthless leaders appointed by God?
Am I the only one who finds this truth hard to understand, much less accept? We can understand those leaders who history deems worthy—George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill or Nelson Mandela. But what about Adolf Hitler, Pol Pot, Mao Zedong, Vladimir Lenin, Idi Amin or most all of the Caesars during the early church times? Were these ruthless leaders appointed by God?
It is tempting to write off Daniel as just an Old Testament book that does not apply to us today and treat these verses like many of the verses in Leviticus or Numbers. But the New Testament reiterates the point.
Saul of Tarsus, called Paul, writes to the followers of Jesus in Rome: “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God” (Rom. 13:1). These words are written during a period of history when the various Caesars are like a revolving door and very unfriendly to followers of The Way.
Jesus affirms the same truth when he stands before Pilate. “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore, the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin” (John 19:11). Pilate’s authority came from God.
Lest you are still not convinced, the historical record of the ancient people of God also bears out this truth.
When a tribal theocracy of government is in effect over the ancient people of God during the period we call Judges, the people ask for a monarchy. The Lord God relents and tells Samuel to honor their request. When the first king dishonors the Lord God, we read God’s message to King Saul. “But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command” (I Sam. 13:14).
The Lord’s message to the prophet Samuel also reiterates the truth. “Then the word of the Lord came to Samuel: “I regret that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from me and has not carried out my instructions” (I Sam. 15:10-11).
The replacement king is also appointed by the Lord God. “Now then, tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, and appointed you ruler over my people Israel” (I Chron. 17:7).
Later, when King David is celebrating the ark of God being brought back to Jerusalem and his wife is embarrassed, David responds: “It was before the Lord, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the Lord’s people Israel—I will celebrate before the Lord” (2 Sam. 6:21).
The record shows that the Lord God appoints Solomon (I Kings 1:35) and even Jeroboam, whom Solomon had attempted to eliminate, as ruler over his people (I Kings 14:7).
Which brings us full circle. All heads of state are appointed by God for a season. All. Not some. Not only those deemed good. But all.
Our response
Given this truth, how are we to live?
A young pastor named Timothy outlines a Jesus follower’s response: “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” (I Tim. 2:1-2).
One of Jesus’ apprentices, Peter, calls followers of Jesus to a high standard: “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor” (I Peter 2:13-17).
These are evil men they are to honor.
When the results are in on Election Day, regardless of who wins, our response is to honor, pray, be thankful, live peaceful lives and trust. Honor the person who is in authority, regardless of their character, activity or policies. Pray for those who have been given authority. Be thankful for the country in which we live. Go about our lives living as a people set apart for his exclusive use. And trust—trust the God who placed them in authority. His purposes will prevail and his mission will be accomplished in the world. He is either sovereign over all or not sovereign at all.
On election night 2016, I hosted the Tabor College Presidential Leadership Scholars in our home to watch the election return. For about 30 minutes we watched and discussed the candidates. The students were evenly divided between Hilary Clinton and Donald Trump. Clinton was leading and it was assumed, according to the polls, that she would be elected president. I turned off the TV and engaged the students in a Bible study. We examined the texts referenced above and how they might be applicable to our context.
As we talked, I heard a ping on my phone and glanced at it. The news alert stated that Trump had won a swing state and it appeared possible he would be elected. I prolonged the Bible study until the top of the hour when there would be more predictions. Then I turned on the TV for all to see that Trump was heading toward a victory. There was a collective gasp and noticeable shock in the room. The students were experiencing the reality of the truth we had discussed. Now we had a real discussion of the biblical truth.
This November, regardless of which party holds office, our God still holds the world. And be prepared to be disappointed. Regardless of who wins, we will be disappointed that our candidate lost or disappointed by how the losing candidate’s supporters act after the election. But in the end, the person elected is appointed by a sovereign God for a season to lead our country. And whoever it is, their election is part of the mission of God being fulfilled in the world.
Jules Glanzer served as president of Tabor College for 14 years. He and his wife, Peg, have three grown children who are married and nine grandchildren.
