Beyond Charisma

Jehu. Fastest chariot driver of his day. So fast that even today people say of Mario Andretti wannabes, "He drives like Jehu."

Anointed by the prophet Elisha to be the tenth king of the northern Kingdom of Israel, and chosen by God to wreak His prophetic punishment on the House of Ahab, that wicked king of the southern Kingdom of Judah. Reigned a significant 28 years. With this resumé, you'd think he was really hot stuff, a man who loved and served God. But you'd be wrong.

He might have had a commanding presence. He might have enjoyed a compelling attractiveness as do many who are powerful. Yet, despite his receiving the kingdom by divine appointment and being used as the arm of God, he failed to serve God wholeheartedly. He failed to turn away from idolatry. As such, this man used mightily by God lived to see Israel's territory diminished by the Syrian king Hazael.

Now, Scripture says that God knows the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:9-10). He knew how Jehu's reign would play out. He knew Jehu would not follow hard after Him all the days of his life. Yet God chose him. Despite his imperfections, He sent a prophet to anoint him king.

Lesson? God uses the vessels He chooses to fulfill His work on earth. And His choosing them does not mean they are the best in the west. In Balaam's time, He even used a donkey, an unclean animal, to do His bidding.

As we enter a period of voting in our country, this is something to keep in mind. It's so easy to be moved by antagonism towards a brash personality or attraction to pretty looks or enticing promises. However, the litmus test of who to vote for should be nothing less than the godly principles espoused by any given candidate. As we vote, and I hope we all do, for the servants of our enemy will certainly avail themselves of that privilege, let us be diligent in reviewing the candidates' backgrounds. Do they hold values set forth in the Bible? If already in office, what is their voting history? Our visceral feelings towards them should not be our guiding principles.

I had a dear friend vote for a terribly ungodly man simply because he promised change. Though she's a highly intelligent woman with many degrees and certifications under her name, she voted solely on what "sounded good." Unfortunately, I know many more such examples of voting for what seems attractive rather than what the candidate truly represents.

Do you remember the story in 1 Samuel 30? Amalekite raiders burned Ziklag, the town David and his men lived in, while he and his men were away. Women, children, possessions, all were taken as plunder by the enemy. After his men's initial reaction, which was to stone David in the heat of their anger, there is a beautiful verse, verse six , in which it is recorded that "David encouraged himself in the Lord." When life is devastating, when hope is diminished, that is what we need to do. And as David turned to the Lord, the Lord ministered to him and told him to go after their loved ones and possessions.

Some of the men were already so exhausted they stayed behind to guard what they had. When the victorious warriors returned, many of them (interestingly, Scripture calls them "all the wicked men and men of Belial) didn't want to share the plunder with them. It is then that David states this principle unique to the Kingdom of God: "Ye shall not to do, my brethren, with that which the Lord hath given us, who hath preserved us, and delivered the company that came against us into our hand. For who will hearken unto you in this matter: but as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike" (verses 23-24).

The principle runs along the lines of Jesus' words, "And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward" (Matthew 10:42). In God's economy, not only those who bear the heat of the day (God's work) are rewarded, but those who give to support them are also rewarded. To give to support when you cannot go yourself is to share in their reward.

We can extrapolate this principle to include those for whom we vote. If I vote for someone who adheres to godly principles (though they might aggravate me in a Jehu-like or donkey-ish way), then I will share in the reward of the good that they do. If I vote for a man or woman who does not uphold godly principles, I will likewise have a share in the condemnation from God's hand toward that person. After all, it was my support that helped put them in office. Without being omniscient, all knowing, as is our God, how can we know what is true, what is right? How can we know if it is our emotions that move us or God's direction? "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them" (Isaiah 8:20).

In this voting season, may we vote wisely. May we do due diligence. May we not vote for someone simply because they are handsome, charismatic, the "right" color, the "right" sex, of the party my family always votes for, or simply because we hate their opponent. Let us vote because of the godly principles to which they adhere. They might not be perfect, but that will not keep them from being the vessel used by God. Like Jehu. Like the donkey.

We will be held accountable before God for whom we vote. May God help us to see beyond the superficial to true substance.

"Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people" (Proverbs 14:34).

"The heart of the wise inclines to the right but the heart of the fool to the left" (Ecclesiastes 10:2).

"I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—or kings and all those in authority that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness" (1 Timothy 2:1-2).