As election day approaches here in the USA, we are once again bombarded - through commercials, flyers, text messages, and many "friendly" reminders - about how this next vote will be the "most important in our lifetime", about how if so-and-so gets control or loses control that it will be the end of life as we know it.
This hyperbolic fear about these politicians (who will only be getting 2-6 year terms) is evidence that certain people have made an idol out of politics. When we build the foundations of our lives on the shifting sands of who's in office rather than the rock of Christ Jesus, a loss at the voting booth can rob us of the peace, security, and every other good thing that would otherwise be unshakeable in Christ.
Today's verse reminds us that all authority comes from God, and the authorities which exist are established by God. This certainly doesn't mean that every leader is a good or godly person! There are plenty of examples from the Bible - even from Israel itself - which show us that evil men can and do occasionally take the throne. But what these verses do teach us is that God's sovereignty also extends to our governments and our leaders. God is always in control, no matter how good or bad our leaders are.
This is of course not to say that elections aren't important, or that we shouldn't vote! God's sovereignty works through our free will and our actions. When people stop caring about elections, sometimes God will give us a bad politician to remind us of our responsibility to choose well. But just as God hardened Pharaoh's heart (Ex 7:3), the hearts of all our politicians are under the watchful eye and guiding hand of our God. Our politicians will accomplish His will, whether they intended to or not.
Finally, we must also not forget to pray for our government leaders. "... I urge that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made in behalf of all people, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity." (1 Tim 2:1-2 NASB) Just because the person you wanted to be in office didn't win, doesn't mean that we're now helpless. And if your candidate did win? They're still just as vulnerable to the devil's schemes and the frailties of the flesh as any other man.
We have a responsibility to vote for who we think will be best, and then to pray for whoever wins, whether or not they were our candidate. When we do our part, we can be sure that God will do His. No matter who wins, God's promise to "work all things together for good" will never be broken.