To remind the Israelites of His overarching and enduring sovereignty, God tells his servant Jeremiah that “At one moment I might speak concerning a nation or concerning a kingdom to uproot, to pull down, or to destroy it; if that nation against which I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent concerning the calamity I planned to bring on it. “Or at another moment I might speak concerning a nation or concerning a kingdom to build up or to plant it; if it does evil in My sight by not obeying My voice, then I will think better of the good with which I had promised to bless it. (Jeremiah 18:7-10)

As surely as God was sovereign over Israel and Babylon in the days of Jeremiah, He is sovereign over our nation today. He is the one who plants and He is the one who uproots. He establishes and He destroys. Modern America cannot afford to forget this one simple fact: God is in charge!

As an exercise of His sovereignty, God calls men and nations to obey His holy laws. He requires righteousness from individuals and from entire societies. If a kingdom will not live according to God’s commands, it risks provoking God’s wrath and curse.

If God’s judgment comes against a nation – if He determines to uproot a kingdom – they have two choices. Either they can repent from their iniquity and turn from their evil. Such a course may lead to God relenting concerning the calamity He had in store for that nation.

On the other hand, they can press forward with “business as usual.” Such a course will result in their overthrow. God is in charge!

A second scenario spells out the same implications: if God determines to plant a nation or build up a kingdom – and they do evil by not obeying His voice – God may retract the good He had intended. They will languish and crumble because they chose a course of disobedience to God. God is in charge!

Today Americans are at to the polls to choose their leaders for the years ahead. At the top of the ticket is the presidential race – viewed by many as a stark choice between two different directions. What will happen? Who will prevail? We will know in the wee hours of Tuesday or when we wake up on Wednesday.

Whatever happens, and whoever wins – God is in charge! He is the one who plants and He is the one who uproots. Whether we have a democratic or republican administration in Washington DC, God continues unmoved in His enduring sovereignty. Jesus Christ remains King of kings and Lord of lords. To Him every knee must and shall bow, confessing that He is Lord to the glory of God the Father!

So you may ask, “If God is in charge, should I even bother to vote?” The answer is “Yes, most definitely!” Go and vote your conscience – take part in the political process by exercising your rights as a citizen. It is a responsibility that you should embrace!

“But Pastor, if God is in charge, why should I vote?” You should vote because God uses means to accomplish His sovereign and holy will! In our case, voting is the means God uses to set apart the next group of leaders for our nation.

Beyond doubt, there will be many broken hearts on the morning of November 7. For every candidate who wins election, there will be those who have lost their bid for office. What should you do if some of your choices aren’t elected to service? Here is my advice: remember that God is in charge! He does all things well, even though His ways don’t always make perfect sense to us. Trust the God who rules and overrules, and live faithfully for Him in the days to come!