Psalm 124:1-5 says, “Let Israel now say, ‘Had it not been the Lord who was on our side…then the raging waters would have swept over our soul.’” Reading this verse brings up some tough questions: Does God take sides? Does He play favorites? Does He root for particular sports teams? Does He get in line and endorse particular political parties or candidates? 

 As our country approaches another polarized election, many are making claims on our God and His agenda. As believers in this context, it’s important to ask the fairly complicated question: Who is God for and who is He against? Be careful, the answer is more nuanced than you might think. Consider briefly who we believe our God to be. So much more than an avid Razorback fan or a zealous political interest group, our God is perfect, holy, and uncreated. Three things that no one can claim to be an expert on. Furthermore, He seems to bring order to chaos in a decidedly undemocratic fashion – He is a king. And not just a king, He is the King of all kings and Lord of all lords. So, while He has a vested interest in all human activities, according to scripture the specific nature of His concern far surpasses a particular outcome of either sporting events or elections. 

 The way He related with Israel throughout the Old and New Testaments is a model of how He relates with us all. What did it mean for Him to be “on Israel’s side”? In many ways it looked like wonderous blessing and favor. Israel was a non-entity compared to the powers in Egypt and Assyria, yet she rose to boast one of the longest reigning monarchies in recorded history – David and his sons reigned in Jerusalem for over 400 years. Solomon’s temple and wealth was so great that silver and gold were considered as common as stones (2 Chron 1:15). Battles and wars that should have been lost were won. Dead ends became highways. The list goes on and I start to really like the idea of God being on my side! 

 Be careful lest you begin to think that God being on your side means a “get out of jail free” card and your army is invincible. Another look at His word reveals that God being on Israel’s side also meant grave and solemn consequences. Battles that should have been easy wins were lost. Ground perpetually given to Israel was taken away. Solomon’s temple is destroyed not once, but twice. And both times its sacred national treasures were carried away by foreign armies never to return. Instead of walking what should have been a straight and narrow highway, God’s chosen people often found themselves suffering the consequences of unfaithfulness and wandering aimlessly far from home. 

 Right now, one of the books I’m reading through is Proverbs. Chapter 3:34 is a verse you probably know well and it’s one that James quotes in the New Testament. Solomon and James both agree, “God is opposed to the proud but gives grace to the humble.” We often don’t acknowledge that the way God is with people is good for all people. If and how people respond will remain a question, but we never have to wonder if He is up to good things or not. 

 If you are humble, then He gives grace to you. That word grace actually means ability. You are weak, He desires to give you strength. You were low, He desires to lift you up. It’s a wonderfully good way of relating with us! On the flip side, if you are proud, He will oppose you. Nothing good can come from my pride, so it is actually in my best interest that He oppose me. My sin naturally causes pain for myself and others so He introduces holy opposition with the hope that I would humble myself and repent. Therefore, even in opposing me He is being good to me! 

 Considering how God related with Israel as a model for how He relates with all humanity should inform how we consider the question, “Who is God for and who is He against?” Turns out, it might be more complicated than you originally thought. Let’s start with: Who is He for? The answer: Everyone. 2 Peter 3:9 tells us that, “He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.” He is for us all. He enacted His stance on humanity on the cross when the Father gave His Son for the whole world. Now consider: Who is He against? The answer: Everyone. Isaiah 53:6 says that “All of us like sheep have gone astray.” We’ve all sinned. We all need His holy opposition. As the good shepherd He loves us too much not to take out the staff and try to lead us home. 

 I assure you that our God is not sitting on the throne of heaven, looking down and wringing His hands over whether the Razorbacks will have a winning football season this fall. Indeed, it is just as far-fetched that the King of all kings and Lord of all lords is currently consumed with who will win the election this November. Instead, our God is a consuming fire burning with love for the people He created. He loves us perfectly and is more than willing to both oppose and bless us, all so that we might come home to Him. 

 In response to this divine love, as a church, we want to love Him and love like Him. Would I like the Razorbacks to win? Of course. Do I care about the election? Yes. But if I truly know Him, those things can’t come close to consuming me. In fact, to know Him is to be consumed by Him. Along with asking “Does God take sides?” take a moment to consider “What consumes me?” Sporting events are fun, politics are fascinating, but there is only One to whom we should give ourselves.