On this Sunday, 9 days before the Presidential election, John McCain spoke at two rallies in Iowa and Ohio, wth about 2,000 supporters at each rally. Barack Obama spoke at rallies in Denver and Ft. Carson, Colorado. There were 100,000 poeple in Denver, and 75,000 people in Ft. Carson.
This brought to mind the Biblical accoutn of the people's response when God chose David to succeed King Saul:
1 Samuel 18:6-8 (New International Version)
6 When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with tambourines and lutes. 7 As they danced, they sang:
"Saul has slain his thousands,
and David his tens of thousands."8 Saul was very angry; this refrain galled him. "They have credited David with tens of thousands," he thought, "but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?"
The McCain campaign has been increasingly characterized by anger and bitter attacks, and the Obama campaign has been characterized by increasing outpouring of support and a vision for a new future.
For those of us who are Christians and supporters of Barack Obama, we are encouraged also by these words from the Apostle Paul:
Romans 8:28-31 (New International Version)
28"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
31What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?"
Our prayers and our labors are committed to the closing days of this campaign. Let us not forget thatwe are only participants in a greater purpose.