Trust Not in Princes, But the Lord Will Reign Forever
Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish. Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God. Psalm 146:3-5
The first presidential election that I remember was 1976, when Jimmy Carter defeated Gerald Ford. As a political junkie, I remember the Robert Bork Supreme Court confirmation hearings in 1987, watching NBC’s Tim Russert writing on his small white board, “Florida, Florida, Florida” in 2000 and now the leaking of Justice Samuel Alito’s draft of the Supreme Court majority opinion to overturn Roe v. Wade.
As a young man, I was invested in every election and every Supreme Court justice confirmation. While I still follow such matters with keen interest and the sanctity of life is a critical issue, I have learned over time to not put my trust in any party, in any branch of government, or any public servant.
Psalm 146 is a beautiful expression of praise to God who frees prisoners, gives sight to the blind, watches over the sojourners and sustains the widowed and orphaned. Within this hymn of hope, the Psalmist cautions God’s people, “Put not your trust in princes.” (v. 3)
Too often, we have trusted campaign promises and party rhetoric rather than the Word of God. We have been far more invested in getting more votes than the other side than looking to the God who made heaven and earth. We have thought if only our side was in power, then everything will get better.
The Psalmist comforts us with the assurance, “Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord, His God.” (v. 5) Christians should still vote and even be involved in public service. However, the Scripture’s teaching about original sin means that we are not surprised when promises are broken, vows are shattered, and our public servants are found to be ineffective or despicable.
May you find comfort in the Psalmist’s closing promise, “The Lord will reign forever, your God, O Zion, to all generations.” (v. 10) Dear friends, our side is in power because the almighty God of heaven and earth will reign forever. That is a promise on which you can always count!
Prayer – Many times have You, O Lord, our God, been our help in the time of need. Many times You have guarded us in danger and kept us from evil. Thanks and praise to You for Your merciful kindness. Withdraw not Your hand from us because of our sins, but remember Your great mercy and let your grace and help be with us at all times, through Jesus Christ. Amen.
Fraternally in Christ,
President Lee Hagan