I’ve spent the last two weeks watching the RNC and the DNC. My head is spinning. I’ve listened to so much rhetoric and heard so many promises, it’s hard to keep it all straight. I’ve heard so much slander and name calling, I feel like I should be offended. I’ve been informed of so many strategies and solutions for all the world’s problems, I feel like I should wake up tomorrow in utopia.
We have so much hanging on this election. So much rides on who is voted into office. The economy. The environment. Immigration. Energy. Healthcare. Unemployment. Social injustices. Education. National security. The stability of the United States. World peace. The future of life as we know it.
That’s a lot to rest on one person’s shoulders. The expectation of the resolution of every problem to the satisfaction of every citizen. The expectation that the elected person would never disappoint and will always come through. The expectation that this person will continually give strong, courageous, compassionate, decisive, wise leadership. The expectation is that their leadership will make us feel secure, safe, stable and hopeful. The expectation is that when their term has ended, we will all be satisfied with the condition and status of America and be optimistic about the future of the nation, and in turn of our personal lives.
Do we realize what we are asking? NO ONE could ever fill those shoes. NO ONE could ever do all the things we are asking this elected person to do. NO ONE could ever meet those expectations. Not even a team of the best of the best strategist, thinkers and leaders.
And I think, that is our problem. We are looking for humans to do what is humanly impossible. We are looking for humans to set the world right. We are looking for societal perfection and harmony here on earth. And this is just not possible.
How do I know? Because if it were possible, it would already be done. The world has had its fair share of brilliant, intelligent, creative, forward thinking leaders who were full of ingenuity, compassion and charisma. Many of them have instituted reform and brought change. But no one has lead us to this utopian society we’re all looking for. No one has provided the answer to every problem and workable solutions for every dilemma. No one has brought us long term security and stability. No one has given us sustainable hope. No one has given us peace in any one nation – much less in all the earth.
No one could do this. Except Jesus.
Jesus is the only Ruler who can resolve all our issues and bring true reform to every broken system we have. He is the only one able to bring us security, stability and peace. He is the only one able to do this with justice. We know this because Isaiah 9: 6-8 (NLT) tells us: For a child is born to us, a Son is given to us. The government will rest on His shoulders. And He will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!
Our hope should be anchored in this promise. Our confidence should be placed in the never failing counsel of Jesus who rules in perfect fairness and justice and brings perpetual, sustainable peace. Under His rule, there will be no injustice and no war. There will be no poverty, no sickness and no one is left behind, left out or excluded. I know all this sounds too good to be true, like pie-in-the-sky and fairy tales. But this is Abba’s promise to us, and He will make it happen. He is more than powerful enough to bring this to pass and Jesus is everything needed to accomplish this monumental task. And, those in a relationship with Him will live to experience His magnificent reign.
I’m not saying that we should not prayerfully choose a candidate. I am not saying that we should abandon our system of government. I am not saying that our system doesn’t need reform. Until Jesus brings all this to pass, we still have a responsibility to occupy and govern our society with justice and compassion. We still have the responsibility to care for the planet, each other and the future until Jesus returns.
What I am saying is that our hope can NOT rest in any of this. The government, political system or a human cannot do or give what we really need. We cannot rely on any human to give us what only Jesus can give. We cannot depend on any system to supply what only Jesus can provide. We cannot count on government to be our provider. Systems and government will fail us because they are driven, fueled and lead by humanity. And we are woefully flawed.
David says it like this in Psalm 20:7 (NCV) Some trust in chariots, others in horses, but we trust the LORD our God.
As Believers and followers of Jesus, this should be our anthem, too. Some trust in government. Some trust in the system. Some trust in politicians and leaders. Some trust in promises made by men. But, we – the followers of Jesus – will trust in our God, the Master and Ruler of the universe.
I encourage you, don’t place your hope in government. Don’t put your hope in the political system. Don’t hope in humans and the promises they make. Don’t depend of them to make your life better. Don’t count on them to make a better future for your children. Place all your trust in God, listen to His voice and follow His direction. If we’ll do this, He will take care of us, provide for us and sustain us. We’ll live in peace, security and stability – even before His eternal reign begins.
ps ~ Vote. Exercise your right, freedom and privilege. And if we’ll allow Holy Spirit to guide our choices in the voting booth, we cannot go wrong.
Comments 3
What an excellent and timely reminder to set our thoughts and hopes where they should be-Jesus. I forget sometimes as I’m bombarded with never ending political commercials that I need to spend less time watching and more time reading the word and praying. I’m so grateful that you and Bill are with us, it’s a privilege to sit under your teaching.
I appreciate your encouragement to keep our minds upon God during this election cycle. Keeping our hope in Jesus is paramount in a world of imperfect beings. Men will fail us, but Jesus never fails. While our heads may indeed be in the clouds, we must keep our feet securely planted in our world. Being involved in our political processes is essential, as well as our prayers that we are able to “live a quiet and peaceful life” (I Timothy 2:2). No candidate will be the “perfect candidate”, therefore we must prayerfully and open-mindedly consider the choices before us. As Christians, we have a unique position, we are “in the world but not of the world”. The “in the world” part of us must actively influence our culture, nation, and world. The “not of the world” part of us must actively pray for our leaders, our nation, and our world for wisdom and their ultimate salvation. Only as we as a nation and as a people return to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords will we ever see the lasting change we all are desiring.
Thank you for your post and for pastoring us by keeping us focused on the spiritual aspects of our lives. You and your family are truly a wonderful influence in all of our lives. Yahweh will bless you and keep you. Yahweh will make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. Yahweh will lift His countenance upon you and give you His shalom.
This is right on. Thank you Kim.