And in that day you will cry out because of your king, whom you have chosen for yourselves, but the Lord will not answer you in that day. 1 Samuel 8:18

The Daily Devotions aren't a political platform. Even so, a number of listeners have asked me to speak about the election. Well, they've not asked about the election actually. They wanted me to speak about the process leading up to it.

With political machines humming at maximum and party spokesmen trying to come up with one-liners and sound-bytes to assure the selection of their candidate, it would be hard not to realize there is going to be a U.S. election in a few weeks.

You've probably noticed.

Maybe you've also noticed some of the things being said about the candidates, their families, and their abilities are not overly complimentary.

No, I'm not talking about those ads that begin or end with "Hi, my name is FILL IN THE BLANK, and I approved this message."

I'm referring to the many e-mails, blogs, and scandal sheets that denigrate and demean national, state, and local candidates.

As Christians, we certainly can't expect those who have thrown their hats into the political arena to always be ladies or gentlemen, and it would be a minor miracle if their avid supporters didn't bend the truth a little. Even so, that doesn't mean we servants of the Savior should listen to, support, or spread lies and falsehoods about the candidates or their families.

Luther knew what he was saying when he encouraged us to "put the best construction on everything." And I imagine that encouragement applies even to political candidates as much as it does the rest of us.

Maybe even more so.

The warning of the Lord that was delivered by Samuel - - the warning which was disregarded by the ancient Children of Israel - - shows it does little good for a nation to elect the man of their choice if the man of their choice leads them further away from the Lord.

Now knowing one of these men is going to be elected and knowing his authority comes from above (John 19:11) and knowing the Lord is going to ask me to honor and respect that man, I'm going to stop listening to the garbage and start praying, "Thy will be done."

THE PRAYER: Dear heavenly Father, in the next weeks we will be making decisions about our leaders. If we cannot have leaders who lead us as a Christian nation, please give us men and women who will not try to make us less Christian. To that end, help us elect those who will best do Your will. I ask it in the Name of the crucified and risen Savior, Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Isaiah 14-16    Ephesians 3

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