Depending on God Rather Than Man

Psalm 146:1-10

“Praise ye the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul.  While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.” (Psalm 146:1-2)

The psalmist is committed to thanking God  with everything he has and everything he is for as long as he lives on this earth and right on into eternity, for as long as he exists. 

“Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.  His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.” (Psalm 146:3-4)

Because so many people have placed their hope in a political candidate, whether Hilary Clinton or Donald Trump, Trump’s victory has caused a huge uproar, with riots and efforts to overthrow his victory by pressuring the Electors, forcing recounts and threatening to kill Trump.  The reality is that neither Trump nor Clinton have the ability to fix the problems.    They have only human powers, and either candidate could die unexpectedly of a myriad of causes.  When they die, every plan and dream they had ceases to exist, as someone else takes the lead.  At best their efforts to make things better are only a momentary change.  The conflict reveals how completely America has placed their hope in man rather than in God. 

“Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God: Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever: Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry.  The LORD looseth the prisoners: The LORD openeth the eyes of the blind: the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down: the LORD loveth the righteous: The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.” (Psalm 146:5-9)

The person who places their faith in God has nothing to fear.  God has the power to create the universe, and everything in it.  He is the one who established the laws of nature and enforces them.  He is the one who  judges the wicked and sees that justice is received.  He provides food for those who are hungry and sets those who are oppressed free.    His is the one heals the blind and the sick and protects the alien or foreigner.   He intervenes on behalf of the orphans and widows, but he causes the wicked to suffer the consequences of their actions, turning their plans into disasters.  He has perfect knowledge and infinite power.  Human leaders have only limited power and knowledge, so that even when they try they cannot accomplish what is needed. 

"The LORD shall reign for ever, even thy God, O Zion, unto all generations. Praise ye the LORD.” (Psalm 146:10)

God will not die or be replaced by another leader.  He will retain power forever, so that the rules will not be constantly changing as they do under our present system.  Thank god that he has tohe power to do what is needed for eternity.  We have nothing to fear if he is our God, if we have placed our trust in him.  We have reason to be afraid if our faith is in man.