Within the next two months we will decide, as a nation, which presidential candidate will occupy the White House. Some will simply vote the straight party ticket regardless of their own personal convictions. Others will weigh the issues of morality, the economy, the environment or the war in Iraq to help determine for whom to cast their ballot.

The reason this election is critical is because leaders chart the course. The agenda that is set and the decisions that are made will effect generations to come.

The nation of Israel faced a similar challenge. She had come to a period in her history where she needed to decide whether to be ruled by an earthly king like all the other nations or to retain her heavenly King. The prophet Samuel was commissioned to relate the type of king their earthly monarch would be. Samuel declared the king would have his own interest at heart (1 Samuel 8:11-17).

- He will take your sons to be his horsemen (verse 11).

- He will take your daughters to be his cooks and bakers (verse 13).

- He will take your fields to give to his servants (verse 14).

- He will take your grain to feed his officers (verse 15).

- He will take your servants to do his work (verse 16).

- He will take your sheep to increase his flock (verse 17).

And when he is done taking what he wants, he will take you and make you his slave (verse 17). Isn’t that just like the world? This world system is not interested in you, but only in what you have to give to it. When you choose to follow the world, it will drain you of your strength, your youth and your sustenance. Like the prodigal son, it will leave you in a hog pen – penniless, friendless and lifeless.

Contrast the other King. This divine Ruler does not exist to serve His own purpose, but is characterized as a giving God. He is the King who give us physical life, abundant life and eternal life. He is the King who gives us His Son to save us, His Spirit to sustain us, and His Scripture to strengthen us. He is the King who gives good gifts to those who ask Him. He gives wisdom. He gives grace. He gives mercy. He gives authority and power. His storehouse is inexhaustible and His supply is unending.

When you consider the two choices that Israel had, it is shocking to discover that they still demanded to be governed by an earthly leader.

Israel is not the only one to make an outrageous choice. When we do not invite Jesus to be the Lord and Leader of our life, then we demonstrate the same callousness and ignorance that they did. Why would anyone want to follow a world system that will love ‘em and leave ‘em when they can follow the One who will really love them and never leave them?

The decision you make in November may very well affect the nation for the next several decades. But the decision you make today will have eternal ramifications. The choice to receive Christ into your heart and recognize Him as the Lord of your life will impact you, your family and everyone you know. He is the King that brings real change; a change of heart, a change of life and a change of destiny.

It matters who you follow since the leader determines the destination.