The concept of selective sovereignty, or the belief that God only intervenes in certain situations and not others, is a struggle for many Christians. One recent example of this struggle can be seen in the reaction of some Christians to the 2020 presidential election, in which Donald Trump lost to Joe Biden.
Many Trump supporters, who also identify as Christians, had the belief that God had put Trump in office for a specific purpose and that his loss was therefore a sign that God had abandoned them. This belief in selective sovereignty, where God is believed to be actively involved in politics and in the rise and fall of political leaders, is not a new concept. Throughout history, many Christians have believed that God has chosen certain leaders to carry out His will, and that their rise to power is a sign of divine favor. This aligns squarely with Scripture, as Romans 13:1-2 states, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” [ESV]
However, this belief in selective sovereignty can lead to disappointment and confusion when things do not turn out as expected. In the case of Trump’s loss, some Christians may have felt betrayed by God, as they believed that he had put Trump in office for a specific purpose and that his loss was therefore a sign that God had abandoned them. This can lead to feelings of disillusionment and a loss of faith.
The Bible teaches that God is sovereign over all things and that nothing happens without his permission (Psalm 115:3, Daniel 4:35). This means that God is in control of everything, including the rise and fall of political leaders. However, it also means that we cannot always understand the reasons behind God’s actions and that our understanding of his plans is limited.
The Bible also teaches that God is a God of justice and righteousness and that his ultimate goal is to bring salvation to all people. This means that we should not place our hope in any political leader or party, but rather in God alone.
All throughout the Old Testament, you saw God allowing His people, the children Of Israel, to be subjected to bad leadership. Yet even in their terrible, rebellious, and prideful decision-making, God still provided for His children.
In conclusion, the belief in selective sovereignty can be a struggle for certain Christians, especially in the face of political disappointments. It is important to remember that God is sovereign over all things and that his ultimate goal is to bring salvation to all people. We should not place our hope in any political leader or party, but rather in God alone. It is also important to remember that we can not always understand the reasons behind God’s actions and that our understanding of his plans is limited. While being a politically active and informed Christian is encouraged, it is important to always keep our faith and trust in God above any political leader or party.
The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
– Psalm 24:1 [KJV]
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