The Iowa flag resembles the flag of France with its red, white, and blue vertical stripes. On the white stripe is a bald eagle carrying a blue streamer in its beak. The state motto, "Our Liberties We Prize, and Our Rights We Will Maintain" is written on the streamer. The name of the state is emblazoned in red letters.

Over the last few weeks, the name of the state Iowa has also been emblazoned in our media outlets. As the first to conduct a 2008 election caucus, all eyes have been watching the state. Last night, all ears were tuned in to hear the results. We know by now that Huckabee and Obama supporters were ecstatic with the results. We also know that this is only the first of many caucuses to occur over the many months before the actual election. The nominees are far from determined.

What we don't often know as believers, is what to do with all this information. Who do we support? How do we get involved? What important questions do we ask?

I'm hearing from many of you who find themselves in a quandary. You're not sure who you want to be president, but you're totally sure about who you do not want. You're fearful about what could happen if this one gets in office or if that one gets her way. The way I see it, there are two aspects of this election that we're expected as believers to address:

1. God's Part:
In Daniel 7, we read of his dream about the four beasts: the lion, bear, leopard, and the one with ten horns. The first three beasts represent three successive kingdoms: The Babylonians, Medo-Persians, and the Greeks. The fourth beast's 10 horns contained a "little one" coming up among them. This little one is the anti-Christ who will emerge from the ruins of the Roman Empire. His mouth spoke "pompous words" (Dan. 7:8).

But then the very next verse begins a passage that tells what's really going on, despite the devastion and apparent successes of the anti-Christ:

"I watched till thrones were put in place, and the Ancient of Days was seated; His garment was white as snow . . . The court was seated, and the books were opened. . . I watched then because of the sound of the pompous words which the horn was speaking; I watched till the beast was slain, and its body destroyed and given to the burning flame. As for the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away, yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time.

"I was watching in the night vision, and behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days . . . Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting kingdom, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom the one which shall not be destroyed" (Dan 7:9-14).

What Daniel wrote as prophecy is now history: The Babylonian, Medo-Persian, and Greek kingdoms came and went, but the Ancient of Days is still on the throne. He gave dominion and glory and a kingdom to Jesus, which will never, never, never pass away. God's plan is well underway, and the 2008 elections are part of that plan. Earlier in Daniel we read: " 'He [God] changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings. . . ' " (Dan. 2:21).

God will have His way regardless of who won in Iowa.

Our Part:
Having recognized that God is in control and we know the end of the story, what's our part for now? Much of the answer is in the question. God wants us to go to Him in prayer asking what we should do to bring about His will for this time. Yes, it's who we will ultimately vote for, but it's also wisdom for what to look for and how to respond to a questioning world. We can only do that by going to Him every day for His wisdom and instruction for that moment.

Iowa's motto is "Our Liberties We Prize, and Our Rights We Will Maintain." Thing is, when we're living for eternal things, we prize different things, and the rights we maintain are the ones we've relinquished to our Lord. That's why the disconnect. That's why the confusion. That's why the quandary. The "kingdom" Iowa took the first step in setting up yesterday is just another one that will come and go. The kingdom that we're working for will never pass away. That makes all the difference.

In 2008, we understand only in part, and that's okay. If God wanted us know more, we would. But some day it will all make sense. Some day we will know everything, just as we are known (1 Cor. 13:12).

Our job for now is to lead others to the One we serve, the Ancient of Days. Let's stay busy caucusing for Him. That's what we're here for, and whatever we can do, whoever we can support to accomplish that, that's the thing to do.

And that's the thing I believe Iowa meant to the persuaded.