The United States electorate will be selecting a new president Tuesday, Nov. 4, just as this issue goes to press. The current state of affairs in our nation and around the world has made this an election of heightened importance. The war on terrorism, a troubled economy, mounting healthcare costs, the home mortgage crisis, employment cutbacks, energy and environmental concerns—all of these call for a leader of extraordinary ability who can bring order and positive momentum to our country.

As a citizen, I cast my vote for the candidate I believe will provide the best leadership. I must be honest and say that while registering my vote, I will be longing for another leader whose name will not be on the ballot—Jesus Christ the Messiah. He is the only certain hope to which I must cling!

For some time I have been having my devotions from the Pentateuch, otherwise known by the Jews as the Torah. The Old Testament law contained in those Scriptures remarkably depicts God’s governmental infrastructure by which the theocracy of Israel was to operate in that era. As God organized His Chosen People into a nation, He gave them a righteous and holy code of conduct that served as the governance document of Israel.

As believers, we are no longer under that theocratic arrangement because of the Cross. The church, comprised of Jews and Gentiles who have trusted Christ alone as Savior, is a distinct entity during the present era. The church is not Israel. An earthly theocratic kingdom currently does not exist. However, a day will come when Jesus Christ will return to this earth and will assume His rightful position on the throne of David. He will establish His theocratic rule throughout the world. The literal, millennial promises of His theocratic platform will be realized. Righteousness and justice will prevail because of Him.

Today the church has an obligation that it must not shirk. The critical task of the church is not to reform society through political and legislative means, but to proclaim Christ and salvation in Him alone and to teach the full counsel of God’s past and prophetic story lines. People must come to grips with how they fit into God’s purposes and are to live in light of His truth.

God instructed the levitical priests of Israel to regularly recite a prayer of benediction before His people. I pondered these familiar words on a day when I was frustrated and cynical about the political rhetoric of the campaigns that have dominated our attention for months.

“And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them:
The LORD bless you and keep you;
The LORD make His face to shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The LORD lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace” (Numbers 6:22–26).

The Lord concluded His instructions by saying, “So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them” (v. 27).

What a remarkable statement of hope the Theocratic Sovereign made to His people. He spoke of what He would offer them under His rule: blessing, protection, favor, grace, attention, and peace. Imagine a nation blessed as no other, the most favored nation in whom all nations are to be blessed, receiving protection from formidable foes, undeserved grace, full attention for the most personal and trivial concerns, and peace instead of conflict. Truthfully, who could ask for anything more? Do you see why I long for King Jesus? He is the blessed hope of the believer. No politician can do what Jesus alone can do. Attach your hope to Him. Make Christ known to a world that is desperately searching for someone to believe in, who can deliver on His promises.