Encouragement for Today - Nov. 6, 2006

 

November 6, 2006

 

Encouragement for Today

 

Principle 6

 

“Voting: Duty or Privilege?”

Micca Monda Campbell, Director of Outreach, Proverbs 31 Ministries Speaker Team Member

 

Key Verse:

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.” Psalm 33:12 (NIV)

 

Devotion:

Tomorrow, millions of people will have the opportunity to elect new leaders in both state and local government. I encourage you to be among them and exercise your right to vote no matter what obstacles may come your way.

 

While it’s important that you and I take part in each election, no where in the Bible are we commanded to vote. That’s because people who lived in biblical days lived under kings who were not elected by popular vote.

 

On the other hand, the Bible does command us to be good citizens. One way we can be a good citizen, honor God, and assist in guiding our nation, is by voting.

 

I realize that some people won’t take the time and trouble to vote because they don’t believe their vote will make much of a difference. That’s not true. Statistics show that many elections have been determined by only a handful of votes. What would happen if most Christians felt their vote doesn’t really matter? Our future would surely be decided by people who don’t hold our same convictions and understanding of Truth.

 

I not only believe my vote matters, but as a woman, I’m honored to take part in determining the direction of our nation. Before the 1900’s, women were not allowed the privilege to vote, and in some countries they still cannot. We shouldn’t look at voting as an obligation but as an opportunity that millions of people in others countries long to have.

 

I take my right to vote so seriously that in 1992, while nine months pregnant and bedridden, I had my mother drive me forty-five minutes to vote in the Presidential election. I allowed nothing to stand in my way of exercising my right to vote! Eight days later, and two weeks early, I gave birth to a healthy little girl to whom I hope to pass on my political passions.

 

There’s no doubt about it, voting is both a privilege and blessing from God. However, to vote intelligently you and I need to seek information about the candidates and issues, as well as pray for the Holy Spirit to guide our choices. The very fact that there is moral haziness in politics indicates the need for Christians to participate in each election.

 

America was birthed a Christian nation, but today we struggle to reflect the Holy Name we set out to bear. We’ve legally allowed unborn children to never see this side of heaven. We’ve allowed our freedom of religion to be taken out of government buildings and schools, while at the same time we promote homosexuality in some elementary school curriculums. In fact, same-sex marriage is one of the big issues facing our country as we head into Election Day this Tuesday. Eight states -- Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wisconsin -- will be voting on constitutional amendments that would bar same-sex marriage.

 

Tomorrow is a day of opportunity for America. It’s a day to stand up for what is right. It’s a day to voice our beliefs and be heard. It’s a day to honor our Christian heritage, and bring glory to God with our choices. God tasks us, His followers, with upholding His Truth.   

 

I invite you to take a stand this November 7^th and let your voice be heard by your vote. In fact, I encourage you to take your family and friends along to the polls as well. As today's Key Verse reminds us, “blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord!”

 

My Prayer for Today:

Dear Lord, in this upcoming election I pray that You will move in the hearts of your children to vote. I pray that you will be pleased and honored by the choices we make. Lord, we trust you above all the claims and promises that are being made and that can be so confusing. Please guide us by Your Holy Spirit and give us godly leadership that will lead America according to Your ways. May we be blessed because we are a nation whose God is the Lord, in Jesus Name, Amen.

 

Application Steps:

Before you vote tomorrow, spend today gathering information and looking at what the Bible says are the characteristics of a wise person. Read I Timothy chapter 3 about the requirements for spiritual leaders, and then compare these traits to those running for leadership in America today.  

 

Reflection Points:

Are you concerned about America today?

 

Do you often complain about taxes or political policies?

 

Do you believe elementary school children should be taught about same-sex relationships in their curriculum?

 

Are you concerned about terrorism and our nation’s protection?

 

Do you feel that high school teens should be given the “day after pill” without parental knowledge to abort any conceptions that may have occurred during sex?

 

If you feel strongly about any of these issues, definitely let your voice by heard by voting November 7^th.

 

Power Verses:

Numbers 14:9, “Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them." (NIV)

 

Leviticus 18:22, "'Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable.” (NIV)

 

I Corinthians 6:9, “Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders.” (NIV)

 

Isaiah 14:24; 26-27, “The Lord Almighty has sworn, "Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will stand. This is the plan determined for the whole world; this is the hand stretched out over all nations. For the Lord Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him?” (NIV)

 

Additional Resources:

The P31 Woman Magazine

 

Every Woman’s Battle: Discovering God’s Plan for Sexual and Emotional Fulfillment by Shannon Ethridge

 

Do you know Him?