I live in a democratic country, the United States of America. As a democratic nation, the people are allowed to vote for the candidates and issues that they believe in. In a democracy, it is our obligation to vote.
To abstain from voting is to say that you have no opinion. Also by abstaining, you have no right to ever complain about anything that happens. Your vote is your stand for what you believe to be right.
Before the last election in our country, I spent much time in prayer privately and corporately. In James 1, the Bible tells us that if we want God’s wisdom pertaining to any subject, all we have to do is ask. And that’s what I did. I felt very secure in the candidates and the propositions that I had chosen and on Election Day I cast my vote.
The vote didn’t turn out exactly like I wanted it to and the temptation to be angry and depressed was great. But before I allowed myself to fall into the pit of anger and depression, I thought it would be best to ask God what went wrong. The Lord spoke to my heart with great compassion and said, “Remember Joshua and Caleb?”
Immediately, I began to think through the story recorded in Numbers 13. God told Moses to send one man from each tribe into the Promised Land that He had given to the children of Israel. When the twelve spies left the wilderness, they came to the Valley of Eshcol. There they cut down one branch with one cluster of grapes so large it took two men to carry it on a pole.
After 40 days of spying out the Promised Land, they returned and told Aaron, Moses, and all the congregation of Israel how wonderful the land was. They said, “It truly flows with milk and honey and this is its fruit.”
If they had stopped there, everything would have been fine. But they continued by saying, “However, the people who dwell in the land are strong. We saw giants and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight. And so we were in their sight.”
Numbers 14 says that all the congregation lifted up their voices and cried and the people wept that night. Two of the 12 spies (Joshua and Caleb) didn’t allow what they saw to affect their faith. Even though there were giants in the land, they believed that their God could overpower any obstacle in their path.
Aaron, Moses, and the congregation listened to the words of the 10 spies (the majority) and did not listen to the wisdom of the two spies (the minority) and the result was they wandered in the wilderness for forty years.
The 10 spies who gave the evil report and all of the adults of the children of Israel died in the wilderness and never entered into the Promised Land. However, Joshua and Caleb did enter into the Land of Promise and received great inheritances.
So here’s the conclusion: Yes, we should always vote for and support godly people and principles. But we must remember that our God is greater than any person or nation. We must continue to stand for His principles and we must never be moved by what we see or by things happening around us. Faith is the victory that has overcome the world (1 John 5:4). Stand with God in faith.
You are responsible for your vote. In the same way that Joshua and Caleb were blessed, you will be blessed if you voted for godly principles and continue to stand in faith. Even though Joshua and Caleb were in the minority, they were victorious because they were on God’s side.
Don’t waver. Continue to stand in faith for the principles of God.
“For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor. 5:7).
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Dr. Larry Ollison is founder and Senior Pastor of Walk on the Water Faith Church and founder of Larry Ollison Ministries. With over forty years in the ministry, he is a very popular speaker nationally and internationally and ministers the Word of Faith through radio, television, Internet, and daily e-mail devotionals. As the author of twelve books (including The Power of Grace, The Practical Handbook for Christian Living, Breaking the Cycle of Offense, Life is in the Blood, and recently released The Paradise of God), he is in frequent demand for radio/TV interviews, book signings, and magazine publications.
Dr. Ollison was raised a Southern Baptist. While majoring in theology at Southwest Baptist University, he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. For many years he traveled extensively speaking at Full Gospel Business Men's meetings and conventions. He later earned an M.A. in Theology and a Ph.D. and Th.D. from Life Christian University.
Currently President of International Convention of Faith Ministries (ICFM), Dr. Ollison is also Vice-President of Spirit FM Christian Radio Network, Missouri State Director of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), and a Trustee on the boards of several international ministries. He is also the host of The Cutting Edge Radio Broadcast and authors The Cutting Edge Daily Devotional.
As the owner of a marine dealership, his extensive business background brings a unique flavor to his teaching. He founded and served as chairman of the Missouri State Marine Board, President of the Marine Dealers’ Association, Vice-President of a bank holding company, along with holding several directorships in various corporations.
Dr. Ollison's strongest areas of teaching are the blood of Jesus, faith, relationships, the Hebrew language, the Holy Spirit, the end times, and heaven. During ministry, he operates freely in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. His use of humor and his ability to make a theological concept simple makes it enjoyable and easy for everyone to understand. Countless testimonies have been received from people who say their lives have been changed after experiencing Dr. Ollison's unique ministry.
Dr. Ollison is a pastor, pilot, teacher, and author. His number one goal is to meet the needs of the people through the teaching of faith in God's Word. He and his wife, Loretta, have two children and six grandchildren.