From small town halls to the heights of federal office, election season is a frenzied affair. The biting rhetoric of political speeches is exciting to some… but leaves many more feeling fearful, anxious, and tired. In this 10-day reading plan, Pete Briscoe encourages you to set aside fear and rest in the sovereignty of the Most High God. His will will be done; that’s how elections are won!
Day 1
Your Election Questions Answered
Just wake me up on the second Wednesday of November. —A worn-out American
Election years cook up the worst in all of us, it seems. Fear. Anxiety. Uncertainty. Division. Mix in the unprecedented stress of these challenging days, and we have the perfect recipe for a toxic buffet of emotional, spiritual, and mental turmoil. I see people becoming more and more anxious about what’s going to happen—no question about it.
“Well, what is going to happen?” you ask. Believe it or not, I can tell you. Over the next several days, I’ll tell you:
- How elections are won.
- Who will win. And…
- When all elections will be decided.
What’s going to happen? I’ll tell you from the great prophetic book of Daniel. Amazingly, most of the answers will come through the words of Nebuchadnezzar, a ferocious, incredulous, pagan king. In Daniel chapter 4, in a letter written to all of us, he writes…
King Nebuchadnezzar, to the nations and peoples of every language, who live in all the earth: May you prosper greatly! It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me. (Daniel 4:1-2)
Listen, I’m troubled, too. I’m troubled by the bitterly harsh and caustic discourse between believers and unbelievers and between believers and believers. I’m troubled by the venomous words flying back and forth, the escalating anger, the fear and frustration as we fixate on our “enemies” and barely glance at our Lord.
As stress levels boil over, we may wonder if we, as a country, have lost our sanity. (Daniel and Nebuchadnezzar have something to say about that, too.) I look at it all, and I’m thinking, Hmm, perhaps we’re missing something here… Is it possible that the missing pieces can be found in this one chapter of Daniel?
In answering our questions about the elections, we’ll also discover incredibly important things about God and who we are as His people. I’m committed to helping you “keep the main thing, the main thing.” I’m committed to pointing you to Jesus—not some of the time, not most of the time, but all the time… even during an election year.
Lord Jesus, recalibrate us if we need to be recalibrated, please. Touch us, encourage us, correct us. Do whatever you need to do so that we might reflect Your truth and follow Your Spirit according to Your Word. In Your name Jesus, amen.
Day 2
Elections in Perspective
For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. —Deuteronomy 10:17
I’m convinced that the letter of Nebuchadnezzar (the infamous and atrocious pagan King of Babylon) contains answers to all the questions we’re asking about the upcoming elections. Yes, I believe that Daniel 4 will reveal it all. But first, the elections themselves must be put in perspective.
The account in Daniel 4 is really about the king of earth (Nebuchadnezzar) and the King of heaven (God) and how they relate to one another. The same goes for an election. An election is really the story of the leaders of earth and the God of heaven and how they relate to each other.
No doubt, watching an election is like watching a tumultuous drama unfold on a huge national stage. And like a good Shakespearian play, we know that there will be pain, laughter, conflict, and plenty of blood and guts. We in the audience can only see what we can see from our seats. But this account in Daniel reminds us that there is more to the performance than what we observe with our senses—much more. Behind the scenes of chaos, there is an unseen Someone who wrote the script, designed the set, adjusted the lights, and is, in a mysterious supernatural way, directing every move on stage.
It’s my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me. How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; his dominion endures from generation to generation. (Daniel 4:2-3)
Throughout his letter, the mighty earthly King Nebuchadnezzar loudly proclaims that our all-powerful God is “The Most High.” Read his letter in full, and you’ll see that he had to be seriously broken and deeply humbled by God before he was willing and able to embrace God for who He is.
In any election, that same perspective will help us keep our sanity. As the drama unfolds and escalates, the outcome may be a mystery and, in the end, will perhaps come as a shock to both the actors and the audience. But God is infinitely more mighty and wonderful than any earthly leader, and God’s kingdom is eternal and endures forever.
Regardless of the outcome of the election drama, some of us will interpret the ending as a tragedy; some of us will see it as a triumph. So be it. What we must keep in perspective is that sooner or later, every one of the actors and everyone in the audience will, like Nebuchadnezzar, proclaim that He is the Most High God.
Most High God, lift the curtain behind the stage just a little, please. Give us the ability and the willingness to see You for who You are, here, now, in the midst of the drama. We proclaim now that You and You alone are the Great Director who loves us and guides us according to the script You have written from all eternity. Give us Your peace and Your perspective on this election. Amen.
Day 3
How Elections Are Won
According to the Center for Responsive Politics, the 2020 presidential election saw $7.2 billion in spending. —CNBC
(All that spending just to get a job that pays $400,000 per year? Go figure!)
During any election cycle, thousands of people are vying for positions of power across the world. They saturate our lives with billboards, yard signs, bumper stickers, debates, radio, and TV ads. And now, a constant flood of social media crashes down on our brains and emotions like a never-ending tidal wave.
Who will win: The candidates with the most money? The contenders with the best strategies? The nominees with the luck to catch the latest wave of social opinion and ride it to election day? Well, yes, that’s how elections are won… At least, that’s how we see it on the earthly stage. But from the account of Daniel and Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, we see that’s not the whole story.
Mighty King Nebuchadnezzar was probably the most powerful person in history up to that time. And yet, he was deeply troubled by a dark dream he could not understand.
The dream was delivered to the King by angelic beings who set the prophecy in stone.
The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of people. (Daniel 4:17)
In the midst of election insanity, verses like this should hit believers in the face like a cold splash of ice water, jolting us back to our senses. The Most High is sovereign (to be “sovereign” is to be in charge)… over all kingdoms on earth (not some, but all)… and gives them to anyone he wishes (anyone).
This is not cliché. This is not some weak solution to comfort the losers. This is powerful Truth! How are elections won? Elections are won by God. God, who loves the world so much that He gave His only Son. God, who is incredibly interested in this nation and all nations on earth. God, who is always working all things for our good.
Our God is King not only of the heavens, He is King of the kings of the kingdoms as well. Yes, we cast our votes. We participate in the process. But God and God alone make the sovereign choice of who He will give those kingdoms to.
Most High God, I do believe that You are in control of this election. Please help my unbelief. Give me the willingness and the ability to rest in this fact. Filter out the voices of fear and manipulation that seek to influence me on an earthly level. May your grace and love toward me be my peace and strength throughout this season and always. Amen.
Day 4
Who Will Win the Election?
In America, anyone can become president. That’s the problem. —George Carlin
Earlier, I promised I would predict who would win the election. Well, now’s the time to unveil it. The revelation is hiding in the great prophetic book of Daniel, chapter 4, waiting for us to discover it.
Repetition is a literary device used to make a point. When you see something once in Scripture, you should take note. Two times? You should seriously stop and see what’s so important. God repeats Himself three times in this chapter, using the same words in the voices of three different characters in three different places. It’s like the Bible aimed three megaphones at our heads from three different angles and shouts repeatedly to make sure we get the message about who will win the election.
Megaphone #1 comes from the heavenly angels. We already investigated this passage and saw how the angels tried to pound the truth into Nebuchadnezzar’s thick skull in a dream.
…the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes… (Daniel 4:17)
Megaphone #2 comes from Daniel speaking to Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel had the job of telling the tyrannical King that, according to the dream, God was going to crush him.
You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox and be drenched with the dew of heaven. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes. (Daniel 4:25)
Megaphone #3 comes as a blast from heaven itself. The drama was unfolding on stage as Daniel told the king that he and his kingdom were going down. The arrogant king objected and scoffed.
Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?” Even as the words were on his lips, a voice came from heaven, “This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you. You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes. (Daniel 4:30-32)
So, if it isn’t obvious already, I can tell who is going to win the election. Are you ready? You can write this down so that when it happens, you can go back and say, “Wow! Pete was right!”
Who will win the election? The person God chooses.
There it is. That’s my prediction. I went way out on a limb for that, but it’s true. God is going to choose someone to lead our nation, and that person will win the election.
NOTE: Earlier in the account, Daniel challenged Nebuchadnezzar to change his ways, but the King did not acknowledge God as the Most High who controls all things. As Daniel warned, the king went insane and lost his kingdom. Is it possible that, during this insane election cycle, our sanity can be preserved by embracing God for who He truly is, too?
Oh God, Most High One, Sovereign Lord, we come before You tired, burdened, and carrying the heavy weight of this election. Give us the ability and willingness to stop, reflect, and receive Your peace. We want to do Your work; we want to learn from You so that we might find rest for our souls. Thank You, and amen.
Day 5
When Will the Election Be Won?
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. —Romans 15:13
Now we get to question number three: When will the election be won?
You’re probably getting a good feel for where I’m going with all this, aren’t you? There are two perspectives from which to answer that question:
- From the perspective of the audience and the actors on stage.
- From the perspective of what might be going on behind stage with God.
Recent history tells us that we may not know for a while when the election will actually be won. Typically, we know on election night, but nothing is typical anymore. We can’t rule out recounts, run-offs, and mail-in ballots. And then there are “hanging chads,” “dimples,” and a bunch of other things that could delay results. We’re told that herds of lawyers are waiting to jump in—so who knows when this election will be decided as it plays out on the national stage?
Backstage, though, there’s no question when this election will be won. Elections are won or lost when God casts His vote. We know this from the account of Daniel and Nebuchadnezzar’s dream.
…the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes. (Daniel 4:17)
We also see it in so many other places in the Bible.
…for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. (Romans 13:1)
Now, I know you’re likely thinking, Pete, that makes it sound like God’s vote is more important than mine. Yeah, hello! God’s vote is obviously more important than your vote. I mean, you’re smart, and your vote counts on Earth, but God oversees everything, and what He says goes.
This doesn’t give you permission not to vote, though. In America, where I live, God votes through people. An election in a free country is a chance for us to take the stage and become involved in the plot of the play. Your vote will be part of the process that puts the person that God is choosing in office.
So, take your vote seriously. As you head into the voting booth, go thoughtfully. Don’t go mindlessly looking at some X thread by some celebrity. Make your own decision. Don’t be driven by the crowd you hang with; don’t even go with the flow of your family. Pray. Think. Go before the Most High God and ask, “Who do you want me to cast my vote for?” Then, when He reveals it through His Spirit—through the wisdom He promises you—go
for it.
And no matter what, stop worrying! God’s got this; we don’t. When the election is won, and who wins, it is part of His eternal script that’s been written from all eternity. He can be trusted, even when things don’t seem to be going our way.
Holy Spirit, I quiet myself before You and ask for You to guide me. By a nudge in my spirit, by the wisdom You give to those who earnestly seek it, and by the living principles in Your Word, guide me. Guide me not just in how I might vote but in every detail of my life. Thank You for the peace that comes when I rest in the truth that You are fully in control of all that we choose to do. Amen.
Day 6
God’s Leader Guaranteed
You can safely assume that you have created God in your own image when you think God hates all the same people you do. — Anne Lamott
Imagine it’s the day after the election. God the Father wakes up, gets some coffee and checks the news on His TV. What?! Startled, He drops His cup. “Son! Check Your phone!” Sure enough, Jesus’ social feed is blown up with urgent messages. Finally, the Spirit looks over their shoulders at the election results. “Whoa! I didn’t see that coming. That’s not who I tried to tell them to vote for.”
That’s not going to happen, is it? No! God the Father is going to look at Jesus and say, “The person we choose is going to lead for now.” In fact, they won’t have to talk about it at all because they planned it all along (and I’m pretty sure God doesn’t drink coffee and Jesus doesn’t need a cell phone either). No, there will be no surprises backstage the morning after. Nothing will go off-script. Elections are won by God; God chooses who will win, and everything is decided when God casts his vote.
“But Pete,” you say… “That doesn’t guarantee us a godly leader, does it?” No, it doesn’t. Just read the Bible; just look at history. Often times God handpicks ungodly people.
“No, that can’t be, Pete!” you argue. “I have listened to the news and the rhetoric is telling me that if “so-and-so” is elected, then everything is going to fall apart. If the person I’m voting for isn’t elected, then the nation as we know it is going to disintegrate before our very eyes!”
Every election cycle, the rhetoric on every stage escalates to an extreme level of doomsday scenarios. It always does. To be sure, all sides use fear to lure you to their side (and the media fuels it to improve their ratings). All sides use the same formula: If ‘so-and-so’ gets elected, then X will happen. And if X happens, then the nation as we know it is done.
How do we break free from this fear? We stop, think, and remember what’s going on backstage.
First, no matter what happens, we remember that God’s in control.
I am the Lord, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me, so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting people may know there is none besides me. I am the Lord, and there is no other. I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the Lord, do all these things. (Isaiah 45:5-7)
Second, we remember that God never promises things will turn out the way we want on earth. In fact, He promises just the opposite.
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)
Third, we can be content in the outcome and rest in what He does promise: His presence and His love.
…be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)
So, no… I’m not guaranteeing a godly leader. But I am guaranteeing a leader picked by God—and His pick will be for His glory and our ultimate good. Sovereign God, may Your peace, which surpasses all comprehension, guard our hearts and our minds in the knowledge of Christ Jesus always. Amen.
Day 7
Not My Will, but Yours Be Done
Draw aside, into the secret place no one but you and God can explore. This is a place from which all questions can be revered. Doubts and struggles are safe to open up and wrestle with, in this place. Tears are welcome. —Jenneth Graser, Look Up
The account in Daniel 4 is really the story about the king of earth (Nebuchadnezzar) and the King of heaven (God) and how they relate to one another.
The same goes for an election. An election is really the story of the leaders of earth and the God of heaven and how they relate to each other. We covered this before, right? But let me add in a possibility:
The story of this election could be the story of you and the God of heaven and how the two of you relate to each other.
Are you willing to let God use the circumstances surrounding this election cycle as a catalyst to change you?
First, an English lesson. Daniel 4 includes an “inclusio.” It’s like brackets or bookends made of words. There’s one at the beginning and another at the end—and they match. They tell us, “Hey! This is the section that I want you to be focusing on.”
Our inclusio brackets are found in verses 3 and 34, where the words “kingdom” and “dominion” are flipped for emphasis and inclusion.
In verse 3 it reads: His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; his dominion endures from generation to generation.
And in verse 34 it reads: His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation.
The point is this: God is putting things in perspective one more time, reminding us that His Kingdom—the Kingdom of God—is far more important than any earthly kingdom we’ve been talking about (whether it’s Babylon, the United States, or some other nation). In fact, The Kingdom of God is eternally more significant. And God’s dominion? Unlike our worldly leaders (who rule for a few years or maybe a couple of decades), God’s rule endures from generation to generation to generation to…well, you get the idea.
Is it fair to ask you, right now, in the midst of this election, which kingdom captures your heart the most?
Holy Spirit, with Your still small voice, counsel me and comfort me now, please. Yes, I know that kings and kingdoms shall all pass away. So, capture my heart with a vision for Your Kingdom and Your leadership today. Recalibrate my passions and my priorities. Rewrite the story between You and me, that I might seek You and find Your love and grace like never before. Amen.
Day 8
Sanity Restored
I have complete confidence that God is able to take care of any situation and provide an answer to any question or problem—He has all the resources of the universe to draw upon in helping each one of us through any type of crisis if we will trust Him. —Charles Stanley, Finding Peace
On top of my perfect prediction about how, who, and when the election will be won (insert winking emoji!), I can absolutely guarantee one more thing: The day after the election, some of us are going to be really happy and some of us are going to be really sad.
Whether you’re happy or sad, I want you to read Daniel chapter 4 shortly after the results come in. Be reminded that elections are won or lost when God casts His vote, that God just chose our leader. Win or lose, the key is to trust in God. If you win, don’t cling to a false hope that your earthly king is going to save us. If you lose, don’t despair that your choice won’t make it to the inauguration. Like it or not, God’s chosen leader will be in place.
All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?” (Daniel 4:35)
Listen, if Nebuchadnezzar, a tyrannical pagan king can figure that out, certainly we can, too. And what will be the result? We can stop losing our minds and get off the roller coaster of election craziness.
At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. (Daniel 4:34)
Yes, our individual sanity can be restored, too. Peace and rest can be found in the love and grace of God when we acknowledge and trust in Him as the Most High, just like Nebuchadnezzar did.
My Father in Heaven, I raise my eyes; I kneel on my tired knees; I lift my empty hands up to You. May YOUR name be glorified. May YOUR Kingdom come. May YOUR will be done. I release my earthly desires to You now and ask only that You would live through me, in any way You wish, to make YOUR heavenly Kingdom of grace and love become more of a reality on this earth. For YOURS is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory forever and ever. Amen.
Day 9
Elections Are for the Birds
Even the wise owl might not give a hoot, ‘cause he’s got nothing to crow about in this fowl election. I’m going stork raven loony. —A post on City-Data.com
Normal election years bring out the worst in all of us, it seems. And this year has been anything but normal. The unprecedented circumstances we’re facing intensify our fear, anxiety, uncertainty, and judgmentalism. I don’t blame anyone who throws up their hands and screams, “This is all for the birds!” For the birds is an idiom for something that’s worthless, annoying, and/or stupid. Maybe this election is “for the birds,” but in a different way.
In Daniel chapter 4, a tree is mentioned in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. The tree refers to the vast kingdom he built on earth. Birds are mentioned as the inhabitants of that kingdom of earth. In Matthew 13, Jesus taught about a tree and birds as well, but this time the tree refers to the Kingdom of Heaven.
He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.” (Matthew 13:31-32)
Why might this election be for the birds? Because the birds in Jesus’ parable refer to people too, and people are tired and fatigued and looking for a place to rest their weary souls right now. One of the reasons God’s Kingdom exists is to provide a nest, a home for these people—no matter what side of the aisle they’re from. He’s ready to make our sins as white as snow, to cast them as far as the east is from the west—no matter if we’re from the right or the left. He is the vine and we are His branches. His “tree” is the greater body of Christ, the global fellowship of believers. We are the home for weary birds from every tribe, tongue, and nation. We can be a place of rest, love, and Truth for every bird with aching wings… if we’re willing to look at this election from God’s perspective.
Each bird is a priceless soul. Each is eternally and infinitely more valuable than any ballot. They’ve been flapping their whole lives; they so desperately need a place to rest. It can happen in a cathedral on a Sunday morning, in a coffee shop on Monday afternoon, in a Zoom meeting on Thursday afternoon… because we’re the tree. We’re the Church, and the gates of hell cannot prevail against it, no matter who wins this election.
I firmly believe—if we pray for those we feel are persecuting us, if we love our enemies, if we turn the other cheek when offended, if we seek first HIS Kingdom—that each of us can be used by God, as He empowers us to plant seeds and water the tree and welcome others to nest so that tired souls will hear of His love and grace.
So how do you view this election? Is it for the “birds,” or is it for the birds?
Day 10
Aslan Is on the Move
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. —John 14:27
Let me summarize with this: Our primary role as citizens of heaven is not really to influence an election.
Elections are won by God. God chooses who will win the election. The election will be won when God casts His vote.
So then, what’s our role in the process? Sure, we can engage in the politics if we wish. Stick on bumper stickers. Plant signs. Vote. But that role is secondary to our primary passion and calling.
In C. S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia, Aslan is the lion who represents Jesus. Hope returns to Narnia when all realize that “Aslan is on the move.” Today, Jesus is on the move, too. It may be harder to see in an election year, but Jesus is still invading people’s lives and transforming hearts in the way that we know He can. Of course, there are plenty of us who will be elated at the outcomes of this election season. There will be plenty of us who will be deeply discouraged. So be it. What are we to do when Aslan is on the move?
John, Jesus’ best friend, captured the heart of our role in numerous passages in his Gospel.
Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” (John 6:28-29)
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. (John 13:34)
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.
(John 14:1)
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. (John 15:9)
And of course, the most quoted Bible verse in history:
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)
Far above our political preferences, our campaign is one of belief and love.
- Believe in the Most High God.
- Believe in His Son who died so that we might live.
- Believe in His Spirit who lives in us.
Then we pray for those we feel are persecuting us, and we love those who seem like our enemies. Our campaign is, above all others, to pray and share and love and welcome weary birds to His tree. My encouragement to you is just keep an eye open for them. They’re all around. They’re lonely, longing, and weary. Some of them are feeling elated. Some of them are feeling discouraged. When you see them, wrap your little wings around them and draw them to His heart as He loves magnificently through you.
That, my friends, is how the story of this election can be won—no matter what.
Most High God, may Your peace that surpasses all comprehension guard my heart and my mind in the knowledge of Christ Jesus always. Jesus, may You love others through me today. You are my life. I love because You first loved me. May I be known by YOUR love flowing through me to all people, in all situations, all of the time. Holy Spirit, may I allow You to be my Comforter and Counselor as You empower me and guide me. Amen.