Trusting in Princes(ses)

So it begins. Last night’s Iowa Caucus kicked off a string of primaries scheduled for the upcoming months, and it is only February folks! We have ten more months to go of this stuff.

And it is easy to get caught up in the constant polling and the incessant data being spewed at us. I find myself getting dragged in with the current and hoping against hope: “If only this guy gets elected, things will be different!” Or perhaps more frequently: “God help us if (fill in the blank) gets elected. It will surely be the demise of Western culture as we know it.” Such extreme, emotional sentiment is common amongst the population these days. And it is to be expected.

It is our nature to be excited about the election. The President of the United States is a significant position with a lot of power, and this election in particular comes at an especially crucial time. As citizens of the United States we need to care about the outcome and be involved in the election process.

But let’s be wary of looking for our salvation in any mere man or woman. As Christians we have to continually remind ourselves that the most important office in the world is not up for election this year. God sits on His throne in power--and despite popular opinion He is alive and well. What He offers is more than promises to fix income inequality, national security, or healthcare. What He offers is real life through His Son Jesus Christ. May our hope be found in that. In Him. Not just for the brevity of today, but also for eternity.

 “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,
 who made heaven and earth,
    the sea, and all that is in them,
who keeps faith forever;
     who executes justice for the oppressed,
    who gives food to the hungry.”

Psalm 146:3-7