As we roll full ahead into this election cycle, it’s good to rate these candidates not only on their stands on important issues, but also on their character, their integrity (or lack thereof!). No one is, or can be, perfect. Only One holds that position and he never ran for political office. Look at yourself honestly; are you perfect? I know I am not and that is one of my weaknesses; if we are human, then by definition, we are imperfect.
So in our selection of a political candidate we must examine many factors to make the most informed decision possible. When it comes to knowing the only perfect human and His name is Jesus Christ, we must also make a serious inquiry to who He was and is and what He said about Himself and what others wrote about Him. God is not afraid of our questions about Him, in fact He welcomes them.
Where we stumble however, is when we make inquiries about ourselves. Either we are our own worst critic or we seriously overlook our flaws.
Maybe there is a serious issue that we are facing again that we did not expect to, but the first time we prayed about it and He answered. This time we could just go on and not seek the Lord’s favor or answer, but then again we could inquire again of God and see what He would accomplish.
In his Morning and Evening devotional, Charles Spurgeon wrote this for the morning of February 9, it is somewhat lengthy but well worth the read and reflection.
“And David inquired of the LORD” – (2 Samuel 5:23).
“When David made this inquiry he had just fought the Philistines, and gained a signal victory. The Philistines came up in great hosts, but, by the help of God, David had easily put them to flight. Note, however, that when they came a second time, David did not go up to fight them without inquiring of the Lord. Once he had been victorious, and he might have said, as many have in other cases, ‘I shall be victorious again; I may rest quite sure that if I have conquered once I shall triumph yet again. Wherefore should I tarry to seek at the Lord’s hands?’ Not so, David. He had gained one battle by the strength of the Lord; he would not venture upon another until he had ensured the same. He inquired, ‘Shall I go up against them?’ He waited until God’s sign was given. Learn from David to take no step without God. Christian, if thou wouldst know the path of duty, take God for thy compass; if thou wouldst steer thy ship through the dark billows, put the tiller into the hand of the Almighty. Many a rock might be escaped, if we would let our Father take the helm; many a shoal or quicksand we might well avoid, if we would leave to His sovereign will to choose and to command. The Puritan said, ‘As sure as ever a Christian carves for himself, he’ll cut his own fingers;’ this is a great truth. Said another old divine, ‘He that goes before the cloud of God’s providence goes on a fool’s errand;’ and so he does. We must mark God’s providence leading us; and if providence tarries, tarry till providence comes. He, who goes before providence, will be very glad to run back again. ‘I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go,’ is God’s express promise to His people. Let us, then, take all our perplexities to Him, and say, ‘Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?’ Leave not they chamber this morning without inquiring of the Lord.” (Morning and Evening: A Devotional Classic for Daily Encouragement, Hendrickson Publishers, 2010, p. 80)
Spurgeon is right; before we do we anything, we ought to make an effort to inquire or ask the Lord what He would have us to do. Which candidate to vote for, what job to take, how much to give to help the widow or orphan or person in need, wisdom for the day or whatever you need to inquire of the Lord, then it is a good idea to do it.
When we come to Him in all seriousness of inquiry He will answer us. The key here: are we prepared through repenting of our sins and are we willing to wait and listen for Him? We have a knack for jumping ship prior to finding out the direction of the ship. Let us wait for the Lord for He will give renewed strength and direction for each decision and day. “Taste and see that the LORD is good” (Psalm 34:8).
Serious inquiry is definitely needed in this world in which we live. To have the most instructive inquiry is for one to go to God and get His mind. Try it and it will be worth it.