The political process to choose candidates for president and other offices finally came to an end with the South Dakota primary last week. Several candidates in both parties have spent two years promising all sorts of things to convince people to vote for them, and now John McCain and Barak Obama are, for better or for worse, the presumptive nominees. The office of President of the United States is very powerful. The person to whom we give that authority has the ability, along with the members of congress and the judiciary, to affect our lives in profound ways. But even the president is still only human. No person or political party, no matter what they promise or threaten, possesses ultimate authority. This nation was founded “under God”, and we do well to remember that. Good government does not take the place of God, but exists to serve God. Keep that in mind during the debates and campaign commercials between now and November.
Sunday is Father’s Day. Last month we celebrated Mother’s Day. The fourth commandment tells us to “honor our father and mother”; because they are the fundamental form of authority that God has placed in our lives. Any other form of authority, whether local, state or national, exists to support the family and help parents raise their children. Any government that seeks to take the place of parents is illegitimate. Luther’s Small Catechism says that this commandment means “we should fear and love God so that we do not despise or anger our parents and other authorities, but honor them, serve and obey them, love and cherish them.” We honor our parents, and after them other authorities, by regarding them as God’s representatives.
We pray for God’s blessings on parents, especially fathers on this Father’s Day, and that God will guide us during the coming months as we choose a new president and other political leaders. May God help us to keep our priorities in order, and that we look to our Lord alone for salvation, even as He blesses His appointed servants be they parents or politicians. Cast your votes carefully and prayerfully. Just remember that you are not voting for a savior. God has already filled that position, and there are no term limits, “for lo, I am with always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen
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