If godly men and women have no voice in the community, then by default the political life of America will stay in the hands of the ungodly.

The freedom to choose our representatives is not an American invention – it is a God-given plan for godly government. In Exodus 18:19-23, we see that Moses was advised by his father-in-law, Jethro, to “represent the people before God.” Then in verse 21, Jethro tells Moses to …choose able men from all the people – God-fearing men of truth who hate unjust gain – and place them over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens, to be their rulers. Moses followed his father-in-law’s godly counsel, and as a result, the Lord blessed him.

In a similar way, America’s system of representation is patterned after this biblical example. In the hands of every citizen is placed the privilege and responsibility to select wise, godly men and women of integrity to represent them in the affairs of government. John Jay, who was one of the authors of the Federalist Papers and first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, said: “Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty, as well as the privilege and interest, of a Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.”

And Noah Webster, the Founding Father of American Scholarship and Education and author of the first American dictionary, wrote: “…Let it be impressed on your mind that God commands you to choose for yourselves rulers, just men who rule in the fear of God. The preservation of a republican government depends on the faithful discharge of this duty; if the citizens neglect their duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted; laws will be made, not for the public good, so much as for selfish or local purposes; corrupt or incompetent men will be appointed to execute the laws; the public revenues will be squandered on unworthy men; and the rights of the citizens will be violated or disregarded. If a republican government fails to secure public prosperity and happiness, it must be because the citizens neglect the divine commands, and elect bad men to make and administer the laws.”

For most Americans, to abandon consistent participation in the political process is to abandon a great privilege and responsibility. However, when Christians do so it is far worse. If godly men and women have no voice in the community, then by default the political life of America will stay in the hands of the ungodly. In the words of notable philosopher Edmund Burke, “the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”

So what do we need to do? First, we need to pray and ask God to motivate us as well as all Christians in America to get out and vote for godly men and women. We also need to ask Him to reveal the true character of each candidate, exposing all the masks and the misrepresentations of the ungodly presented by the media. At the same time, we can ask God to allow every godly candidate to shine forth as stars in the midst of the darkness, and that they will be protected, promoted, and provided with His divine favor. Once you’ve received direction, share the information you’ve learned with other concerned Christians, including your family, friends and church members.

Dave Meyer is a US Army veteran and held a career in engineering prior to joining Joyce Meyer in full-time ministry. He is vice-president and CFO of Joyce Meyer Ministries and has been married to Joyce for over thirty-six years. With a deep conviction to pass on the understanding of our rich Christian heritage to the next generation, Dave passionately shares his knowledge of our unique blessing of liberty and is actively involved in community, social, and political action.