As we approach another pivotal election, Christians face a dilemma. Neither candidate aligns with biblical values, so we are left with a choice between what we might consider the “lesser of two evils.” As we engage in civic responsibilities, our ultimate hope remains firmly anchored in the promise of Jesus Christ’s return. Scripture points to a day when the Lord Himself will reign as Judge, Lawgiver, and King, and the need for human governments will pass away in the light of His perfect rule.

Isaiah 33:22 encapsulates this hope, “For the LORD is our judge; the LORD is our lawgiver; the LORD is our king; he will save us.” This verse captures the ultimate role of God as our Supreme Leader, one who encompasses all the functions of government. In His Kingdom, He will bring perfect justice, mercy, and salvation, rendering any earthly ruler or system obsolete. Let’s explore how the Bible directs our focus toward Jesus, the true King, whose Kingdom will be established in righteousness and peace.

The Imperfections of Earthly Rulers

Throughout Scripture, God’s people have often faced rulers who failed to uphold God’s standards. The Old Testament recounts numerous stories of flawed leaders, reminding us of the limitations of human authority. Even Israel’s kings, appointed by God, often led the people astray.

1 Samuel 8 is a powerful example of Israel’s desire for a human king despite God’s warnings. Samuel, the prophet, cautions the people about the nature of earthly kings, saying, “He will take your sons and appoint them to his chariots and to be his horsemen, and to run before his chariots” (1 Samuel 8:11). In other words, human leaders often pursue their own agendas, prioritizing power over the people they govern. Yet, despite their demands, God allowed Israel to have a king, though He warned that no earthly ruler would ever truly satisfy their need for justice and peace. This passage reminds us that earthly governments—even ones sanctioned by God—are often tainted by human failings.

Just as the Israelites struggled with corrupt rulers, we also face leaders who are flawed, and no election can solve the problem of human imperfection. Even the best leaders are susceptible to mistakes, biases, and sin. “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23), reminding us that, regardless of their political persuasion, all human beings, including our leaders, fall short of God’s perfect standard.

God’s Justice: The Only Perfect Judgment

Isaiah 33:22 declares, “For the LORD is our judge.” As our ultimate Judge, God is uniquely qualified to discern every thought and action with perfect understanding and fairness. In contrast, human judges are limited in their knowledge, bound by legal frameworks, and often influenced by societal pressures. Yet Scripture assures us that God’s judgment is unerring. “The LORD will judge the ends of the earth” (1 Samuel 2:10), ensuring justice in a way no earthly judge or leader ever could.

The prophet Micah exhorts us to “do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8), revealing God’s heart for justice, mercy, and humility. In our world, true justice often seems elusive, but God’s Word assures us that His judgment is both fair and merciful. When Jesus returns, He will fulfill this promise of perfect justice, making right all wrongs and setting up a Kingdom in which righteousness prevails.

As Christians, we are called to live justly and support justice in our communities, yet we know that no human system can achieve the perfection of God’s Kingdom. “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you” (Psalm 89:14). We look forward to a future where justice is not just an ideal but a reality under God’s rule.

The Eternal Lawgiver: Establishing Righteous Standards

Isaiah also describes the Lord as our Lawgiver, the one who establishes laws that are true, righteous, and unchanging. Human laws, by contrast, are often influenced by culture, time, and political pressures. In many cases, they fail to reflect God’s standards of righteousness and holiness. “The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul” (Psalm 19:7). God’s law, unlike human law, brings life, guidance, and wisdom to those who follow it.

In the New Testament, Jesus summarizes God’s law in two commandments: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind… And you shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39). These principles stand in stark contrast to the often divisive, complex, and contradictory laws of human governments. Where human laws may divide and discriminate, God’s law brings unity, compassion, and love. When Jesus returns to establish His Kingdom, His law will be written on our hearts, and the need for complex, fallible human laws will disappear (Hebrews 8:10).

The hope of God’s perfect law should inspire us to live by His standards, seeking to embody love, compassion, and justice in our communities, even as we await His ultimate rule. No election outcome can substitute for the transforming power of God’s law in our lives and our societies.

Jesus, Our True King

Isaiah’s declaration that “the LORD is our king” points us to the ultimate reign of Christ, who will one day return to establish His Kingdom on earth. Earthly leaders, even the most well-intentioned, can never fully represent God’s authority and goodness. Jesus, however, is the King of Kings, and His Kingdom is unlike any earthly government.

Revelation 19:16 describes Jesus’ return in glorious terms: “On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.” This Kingdom will be marked by peace, righteousness, and justice, fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah: “Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore” (Isaiah 9:7). Unlike earthly rulers, whose terms are limited and whose power is often flawed, Jesus will reign eternally with perfect authority.

In the book of Daniel, we see the vision of a stone, representing Christ’s Kingdom, that destroys all earthly kingdoms and fills the whole earth (Daniel 2:44). This vision assures us that all human governments, no matter how powerful, will eventually pass away, leaving only the Kingdom of God. Jesus taught us to pray, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10), directing our hope beyond political systems to the establishment of God’s perfect rule.

The Hope of Salvation Beyond Politics

Finally, Isaiah 33:22 concludes with the words, “He will save us.” The promise of salvation is the ultimate hope for every believer. No political leader or government can offer true salvation; only Jesus Christ can deliver us from sin and death, providing a path to eternal life. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). This salvation is not dependent on human leaders or political systems but on God’s grace and mercy.

As we approach the election, we may feel the weight of responsibility, the urgency of choosing leaders who will promote justice and righteousness. We all understand and acknowledge that in recent years one party in particular has embraced every form of evil imaginable– which is alarming and frightening!  However, we are reminded that our ultimate hope does not rest in any candidate or political party to fix this. Philippians 3:20 reassures us, “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” This eternal perspective keeps us grounded, reminding us that we are first and foremost citizens of God’s Kingdom.

In Romans 13:1, Paul reminds believers to respect earthly authorities, recognizing that God allows human governments to exist for a time. However, our loyalty remains with Christ, the King who will establish a Kingdom that endures forever.

Conclusion: Anchored in Christ, Beyond Political Uncertainty

While we may feel the pressures of choosing the lesser of two evils in this election, we are ultimately called to place our trust in Jesus Christ, the one who will reign as Judge, Lawgiver, and King. Earthly governments are temporary, and human leaders are fallible. Yet, as Isaiah 33:22 reminds us, the Lord is our ultimate authority and Savior.

As we navigate this election and the decisions before us, let us remember the promise of Christ’s return and His Kingdom, which will be founded on righteousness, justice, and peace. We engage in our civic responsibilities, but our ultimate allegiance is to Jesus, whose government will never end. In Him alone, we find the true hope of salvation and the assurance of a future free from the imperfections of human rule.