Image above: King Tut; once a powerful ruler, worshiped as a deity for a few years; now, not so powerful.
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(…continued) The story of Napoleon is one of the most incredible in all of history. In just a few years he rose from being a minor officer in the army to being the ruler of France and conqueror of almost all of Europe. Upon being named emperor of this vast empire, Napoleon’s mother had a brief, but realistic reply. She rolled her eyes and said, “Well, I wonder how long this will last.” It turned out to last not very long at all. There were a few great years, but then a rapid decline, and finally, an early death; and that was the end of that little tyrant. That is how it goes for all earthly rulers (see image above); and that is why the Psalmist tells us not to put our trust in them.
That doesn’t mean that none of them can ever be trusted, nor does that mean that the political process can do nothing at all. Our form of government has brought to this nation great blessings of peace and prosperity, and we can thank God for that and for those who have struggled to bring us to this point. Some forms of government are better than others. Some candidates are better than others, and it is our freedom and privilege to decide and vote as a people on who we trust the most to do the best job. But even at its very best, politicians and government will never satisfy our deepest needs. We need a different kind of ruler and a different kind of kingdom for that.
Politics, like the Bible, is full of promises; but the promises in the two realms are of a completely different nature. While the political process is worthy of our attention, and it is our duty to take part, it is not where our ultimate hope lies, and we can be glad of that.
The purpose of politics is to make the best of a bad situation; that is, to keep the peace in a world in which sin is always attempting to rule. But it is Jesus who brings the forgiveness of sins. Political solutions and the politicians themselves are always of a temporary nature. But Jesus, even from the cross, was, and is, able to speak an eternal word. And the promises of politicians will at best be kept only partially, and oftentimes not at all. But the promises of God are sure and certain and for all eternity.
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Ezekiel 12:1-2 — The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, you are living among a rebellious people. They have eyes to see but do not see and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious people.”
2 Chronicles 7:14 — If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Psalm 33:12a — Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord…
Psalm 118:8-9 — It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.
Psalm 146:3-4 — Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save. When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing (see image above).
Psalm 118:14 — The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.
Isaiah 40:10, 11…23, 24 — See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power, and he rules with a mighty arm… He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young… He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing (see image above). No sooner are they planted, no sooner are they sown, no sooner do they take root in the ground, than he blows on them and they wither, and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff.
1 Timothy 2:1-3 — I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people– for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior…
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O Lord, whose glory is in all the world: We commend this nation to your merciful care, that being guided by your Providence, we may dwell secure in your peace. Grant to the President of the United States, the Governor of this state, and to all in authority, wisdom and strength to know and to do your will. Fill them with the love of truth and righteousness, and make them ever mindful of their calling to serve this people in the fear of God. Amen.
—Book of Common Prayer
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GODLY WISDOM FROM A GREAT STATESMAN
GEORGE WASHINGTON (1732-1799)
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No man has a more perfect reliance on the all-wise and powerful dispensations of the Supreme Being than I have, nor thinks his aid more necessary… The man must be bad indeed who can look upon the events of the American Revolution without feeling the warmest gratitude towards the great Author of the Universe whose divine interposition was so frequently manifested in our behalf.
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It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible.
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I hope I shall possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man.
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The propitious smiles of heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained. –Inaugural address 1789
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We have, as you very justly observe, abundant reason to thank Providence for its many favorable interpositions in our behalf. It has at times been my only dependence, for all other resources seemed to have failed us. –Letter to William Gordon, March, 1781
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Human happiness and moral duty are inseparably connected.
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Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder.
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Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.
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