Take my side, God—I’m getting kicked around, stomped on every day.
Not a day goes by but somebody beats me up;
They make it their duty to beat me up.
When I get really afraid I come to you in trust.
I’m proud to praise God; fearless now, I trust in God. What can mere mortals do?Peterson, E. H. (2005). The Message: the Bible in contemporary language (Ps 56:1–4). NavPress.
David wrote this Psalm while captive to the Philistines. Some Philistine and Israelite conflicts of note include when David slung a rock at Goliath’s head before cutting his head off. I’m sure it was nothing short of the worst hotel ever for David.
Despite the persecution and beatings, David reached the conclusion that there was nothing they could do to him that really mattered because he trusted God and they were only human. Donald Trump is only human. JD Vance is only human. Mike Johnson is only human. Hakeem Jeffries is only human. John Thune is only human. Chuck Schumer is only human. Steve Scalise is only human. John Roberts is only human. Every name you will see on the ballot today is only human. What could they do to you that is more powerful than our God?
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
The New International Version (Jn 14:27). (2011). Zondervan.
Jesus tells his disciples about the peace David experienced. A peace so overwhelming that nothing can overcome or replace it. No earthly peace can provide this for us. Earthly peace is like one grain of sand, while the peace God can provide is the entire Sahara. It comes only through an intimate relationship with our Creator.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Da 3:16–18). (2025). Crossway Bibles.
Bypassing what is the obvious warning about political idolatry, with the hope that the Holy Spirit convicts anyone necessary. I am focusing on the middle sentence. God will deliver us. It may not come the way we expect, and it may not come in this life, for ultimate deliverance from sin and death was accomplished on the cross. So there is no lesser of two evils to vote for today. However, there may be a lesser of two incompetencies… if that’s your case, then you should demand more out of the politicians who choose to enter the primaries. We have to understand that neither party follows Jesus’ teachings. Jesus taught on many things, but we are literally told what the two most important ones were. It is unwise to base your vote on a single issue unless it is this one.
Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”
Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Mk 12:29–31). Tyndale House Publishers.
When we cast our ballots, we should do so in a way that best shows we love God and love our neighbors. Voting solely because one candidate promises to lower your taxes without considering how it will affect people in need. Trying to protect your home value while people remain homeless. Voting against public healthcare because you have to pay for yours, even though Jesus healed people freely. Now, don’t get me wrong: these are issues churches in America should be handling. Yet, in our failure to do so, the option is not to abandon the most marginalized people in our communities. Therefore, if the Body of Christ cannot love those who are cast out and hurting, individuals must take that burden upon themselves at the polls. How each person discerns how to do this is an independent exercise; I cannot weigh everything for you, especially with so many local elections across the country. It is my sincere hope that you allow the Lord to lead you to cast your vote in the way that best loves Him and your neighbor.
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity. This is right and acceptable before God our Savior, who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
New Revised Standard Version: Updated Edition (1 Ti 2:1–4). (2021). Friendship Press.
So, be prayerful today as ballots are cast and counted. Pray for your own discernment and wisdom. Pray for those whose names appear on the ballots. Pray for others casting ballots. Pray for the poll workers volunteering their time. Pray for those who count and certify the results. Pray for the people on television covering election night. Pray for peace that surpasses all understanding. This is how we truly show that our faith is greater than our fear. We cannot and should not go to the polls without first consulting our Father. Brothers and sisters, go in peace and vote.
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