It seems that as Mr. Foran pointed out, this is an ultimate question of God's sovereignty and man's free will--how do they play out in reality? Was Barack Obama chosen by God to be the leader of America or did God simply allow him to be elected? I think the answer is "yes."

God is sovereign, without a doubt. Man has free will, without a doubt. The election of Barack Obama was both God-ordained and chosen by man. Despite the difficulty we tend to have in understanding how God's sovereignty and man's freewill work together (as they seem to be logically opposite ideas), Scripture is clear that both are present.

Ultimately, we must again return to Romans 13:1; "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God" (ESV). As hard as this may be to swallow, especially in light of what Mr. Obama stands for, it is still a command that we must obey. Let us consider this: Paul said these things as one who had to deal with some men who truly showed their depravity to the highest degree--Roman Emperors such as Caligula and Nero! And there is no doubt that if we study either of these men (or many of the Roman Emperors, for that matter), we will find that Mr. Obama is nothing compared to them, even if he is the most liberal president our nation has had.

Though I am no more pleased with someone as liberal as Mr. Obama in office than many other conservative Christians are, the fact remains that we have to be subject to his authority (in all matters that do not require us to disobey Scripture)! God put Mr. Obama in office for a reason, and regardless of what that reason is (even if that reason is to persecute Christians, or the less likely role of Antichrist) we can trust Him!