Obama & Nebuchadnezzar

There’s a car in our complex parking lot with an Obama sticker on the bumper. It bears the single word, “Hope,” and with all due respect to my Democrat brethren, I can’t decide if the sticker makes me want to laugh or cry. McCain may be less than ideal, yes, but if Obama is the new paradigm of hope, then—in my most humble opinion—this country is really in trouble.

I was talking with God about this, expressing my various fears on this issue. I fear that voters will start turning to the lesser known, more worthy candidates and water down the vote instead of voting my the numbers to put the “lesser of two evils” in office. Sure, I’m as tired of voting against someone as the next guy, but given the number of people blatantly voting for Obama I feel it needs to be aptly countered.

I fear that many will let their racism override their judgment and vote for Obama, not because he’s qualified for the job, but because he’s black. A friend of mine has already been accused of being a racist for saying (as the man’s own vice-president running mate once said) Obama isn’t ready to lead this nation.

I told God—in my infinite wisdom—that I fear Obama will charm his way into office, and when that happens this country can put its head between its legs and kiss its ass good-bye.

God—in His far more infinite wisdom—replied, “What’s it to you if I do?”

It’s at that point I remembered the teachings about Nebuchadnezzar, the Babylonian king who thought himself to have risen to greatness, so God made him eat grass for seven years to prove a point. (Daniel 4) The point, in brief, was that Nebuchadnezzar was king only because God placed him in that position. In the same way, the only way Obama will get into the white house is if God puts him there. Ultimately, in this upcoming election, the only vote that really matters is God’s.

“You put Obama in power,” I said, “and he’s going to flush this country down the toilet.”

“This country makes a sport of flushing Me down the toilet,” God said. I had to admit it sounded fair.

I hope I’m wrong, and McCain will win the election.

I hope that if I’m right, I’m wrong about Obama.
But even if these hopes are dashed, my ultimate hope remains in Christ.