Is history repeating itself?

President Joe Biden will face former President Donald Trump in the election in November. Sound familiar? This already happened . . . four years ago!

Yep, the 2024 election is a rematch!

Analysts watch closely. They hope to guess the outcome of this November’s contest. Will current President Biden win? Or past President Trump?

Historians are watching too. They know that rematches have happened before. America has had 59 presidential elections. Six of those were rematches between people who had run against one another before. But what about a showdown between two candidates who have both held the job? This will be just the second time that happens.

In four past rematches, the candidate who didn’t win the first time returned for a victory. If that fact could show us the future, Mr. Trump would win in November. Of course, God alone knows the future. He alone is able to defeat or lift up. (Psalm 75:7)

But God also works through people’s choices. In the United States, people get to choose leaders. Have you ever watched your parents vote? You’ll be ready to take on that big responsibility when you turn 18. What qualities will you look for in future leaders? The best leaders humbly serve others like Jesus does. They also love truth and justice. Citizens have a responsibility to obey their leaders—as long as that doesn’t mean disobeying God. Leaders have a responsibility to act for the good of their people—and to give an account to God for their work.

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. — Hebrews 13:17

Why? U.S. voters help choose their leaders, but God alone knows the future.