Casting Votes and Cares Upon the Lord: A Scriptural Perspective on Election Season

Oct 18

Cast your vote—but also cast your cares upon the Lord. Let His peace, which surpasses understanding (Philippians 4:7), guide you as you trust in His plan for our nation, for the leaders, and for your life.

By Angela Rawlins // Faith + Politics // EEW Magazine Online

Election seasons can stir up anxiety, especially when the stakes feel high, and our preferred candidates—whether Kamala Harris or Donald Trump—seem crucial to shaping the nation's future. As we watch pundits dissect every possible outcome, the political tension can weigh heavily on our hearts.

But as believers, we have a source of peace that transcends the chaos of campaigns and poll numbers. Isaiah 18 reminds us that, even amid the struggles of the most powerful earthly nations for dominance, God remains firmly in control. This truth provides comfort and perspective for us today as we prepare to cast our votes with the election less than a month away.

While it’s natural to hope for certain results, whatever the outcome, we can rest in the fact that God oversees all things, including our political landscape.

While navigating this contentious and anxiety-inducing election season, here are a few points to keep in mind:

Only God Determines Outcomes

Isaiah 18 is set in the context of ancient geopolitical turmoil, with nations like Ethiopia and Egypt seeking alliances to resist the growing threat of the Assyrian Empire. Yet, through the prophet Isaiah, God reminds the people that human efforts alone cannot determine the fate of nations. Cush (Ethiopia) sent messengers, but Isaiah's message made it clear: only God determines outcomes, not military strategies or political alliances.

In verse 4 of this prophecy, Isaiah emphasizes God's sovereignty over all nations, even those as powerful as Assyria. He depicts God as One who watches the unfolding events of history from His throne, acting in His perfect timing. Just as Cush and Assyria were under God's ultimate authority, so too are today's nations and leaders.

Isaiah's message encourages us to put our trust not in alliances, parties, or candidates, but in the Lord, who holds the fate of the world in His hands.

God Determines the Course of Nations and Leaders

In today's political climate, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by constant news coverage, divisive rhetoric, and the pressure to see our preferred candidate win. We may even feel that the direction of the country is entirely dependent on the outcome of the election. Yet Isaiah 18 serves as a reminder that, while we participate in civic duties—such as voting—it is God who ultimately determines the course of nations and leaders.

The message of God's sovereignty should fill us with peace and confidence. As much as we care about the results of the election, we need not carry the burden of anxiety. Our job is to make our voices heard by voting; the outcome, however, is securely in God's hands.

God Is Not Caught Off Guard

Just as Isaiah 18 reminds us of God's control over nations, 1 Peter 5:7 encourages us to cast all our anxieties on Him because He cares for us. In an election season marked by uncertainty and division, these verses invite us to lay our concerns about the future at God's feet.

When we cast our votes, we may still have preferences, hopes, and opinions, but we do so while resting in the assurance that God is not caught off guard by any outcome. He is working out His plans for good, even when we can't see it.

In addition to meditating on the message of Isaiah 18 and 1 Peter 5:7, pray for the elections, and find ways to extend God's love to those with differing political views.

Final Thoughts

Remember, while the world around us shifts and shakes, God's hand remains steady. No matter the outcome, God is still on the throne. So, cast your vote—but also cast your cares upon the Lord. Let His peace, which surpasses understanding (Philippians 4:7), guide you as you trust in His plan for our nation, for the leaders, and for your life. Let the biblical perspective today’s featured passages offer comfort and remind you of God's sovereignty over us and His care for us.