Whether we look at ancient civilizations or the more recent activities of nations, those in leadership have great powers of influence that effect the future of many.

In the Old Testament, we find that after the reign of King Solomon, the son of David, the nation of Israel was divided. Jeroboam became the first king of the northern nation of Israel and sadly influenced all nineteen kings after him.

Jeroboam not only turned away from God, but he led the entire nation to worship idols. God’s message to Jeroboam through the prophet Ahijah was “[God] will uproot Israel from this good land that he gave to their forefathers and scatter them beyond the River, because they provoked the LORD to anger. . . And he will give Israel up because of the sins Jeroboam has committed and has caused Israel to commit” (1 Kings 14:15b-16). In 722 BC, the northern kingdom fell to Assyria and was taken into exile.

More recently, the impact of other dangerous leaders has been felt. In the early 1900s, atheistic Bolshevik leaders seized control of Russia, rejecting religion and promoting a Marxist ideology. The communist experiment caused the suffering of many generations and killed millions. This was followed by Nazi leaders taking control of Germany in the 1930s, ruining a nation and devastating Europe.

What about America? A powerful influence indeed. Her Founding Fathers were heavily influenced by biblical principles, the very principles that today are being rejected. Those who boast as “progressives” are leading our nation in a downward spiral, championing abortion, homosexuality, same-sex marriage, transgender ideology, and more. Freedom of religion is being lost to “freedom from religion” and freedom of speech is threatened when not politically correct.

If God addressed America today with “Those who guide this people mislead them, and those who are guided are led astray” (Isaiah 9:16), then may she heed this warning, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil” (Isaiah 5:20a).

With America’s elections less than a month away, may we prayerfully and wisely seek God’s guidance in voting biblical values. And may God raise up godly leaders!