PSALM 118:5-9: “From my distress I called upon the Lord; The Lord answered me and put me in an open space. The Lord is for me; I will not fear; What can man do to me? The Lord is for me among those who help me; Therefore I will look with satisfaction on those who hate me. It is better to take refuge in the Lord Than to trust in people. It is better to take refuge in the Lord Than to trust in noblemen.” NASB

OBSERVATION: Our nation is now officially in the midst of a presidential election cycle. The election may be in November of 2024, but the candidates are already lining up and soon the early primaries will begin. To say that our nation needs help is, to put it mildly. Christians are praying for guidance and asking this important question…

Who You Gonna Trust?

In all honesty, with everything that is happening in the world today, it is hard to trust anyone. The top two candidates for the two major parties in America both have a lot of baggage. The current sitting president seems disconnected and confused, while the former sitting president is bridled with controversy and now a lawsuit. It feels like we are in the book of Judges where everyone is doing what is wise in their own eyes.

Is there anyone we can trust?

The answer to this question is found in Psalm 118. There is only one person who is trustworthy, without compromise, full of integrity, and who will never lie. He is not a man that he should lie. He is the Lord of all Creation!

• “It is better to take refuge in the Lord Than to trust in people. It is better to take refuge in the Lord Than to trust in noblemen.”

When you read the book of Judges you discover this truth. When the people cried out to the Lord in sincere repentance the Lord sent them a righteous ruler to deliver them. When they became complacent in their ways, so did their rulers and they found themselves once again in bondage. When we put our trust in man we will always be disappointed. However, when we put our trust in the Lord, He will deliver us.

To be honest, I don’t know who the United States needs as its next president. Samuel did not know who Israel needed as their next King. When he went to anoint one of the sons of Jesse, in obedience to the Lord’s command, Samuel naturally thought the most formidable among the sons would be God’s choice. Yet, Samuel was wrong 7 times! This is what the Lord said to Samuel.

• “When they entered, he looked at Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord ’ s anointed is standing before Him.” But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God does not see as man sees, since man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:6-7 NASB

God had young David in mind for the King that would lead Israel in righteousness. David was called a man after God’s own heart. Was David perfect? Absolutely not. We are made fully aware of his personal indiscretion and family problems. Yet, David responded to the Lord in sincere repentance and allowed the Lord to both restore him and guide him. David’s trust was fully upon the Lord and not upon man!

We need a David in the White House! Yet, God will allow us to pick a leader after our own hearts if we choose to trust in men and not in Him. The Lord is not looking to a sinful world to lead the way. He is looking for His church to repent of trusting in men and return to a full and complete trust in Him. When the church repents and positions it heart toward the Lord – then true change will happen. We need to hear the words of David once again.

• “Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven With the saving strength of His right hand. Some praise their chariots and some their horses, But we will praise the name of the Lord, our God. They have bowed down and fallen, But we have risen and stood upright. Save, Lord; May the King answer us on the day we call.” Psalms 20:6-9 NASB

Who is the best candidate for the future of our nation? If Samuel did not know – then neither do we. God will give us leaders according to the desires of our hearts. If our main concern is our bank account or a certain ideology – then we will get a leader that reflects the same. However, if the church will humble themselves and pray, turn from their trust in man, and put their full trust in the Lord – then God will raise up leaders in kind.

For believers, the time to begin praying is now. We must seek the Lord for who He wants to lead our nation. Like Samuel, we must remember that a good leader is not always the one who appears to be so on the outside. A good leader is one who has a heart that trusts the Lord and understands that leadership is only a stewardship given by God. It is not based on our accomplishments but on His grace and mercy.

This election cycle…I am putting my trust in the Lord!

• “In regard to this Great Book, I have but to say, it is the best gift God has given to man. All the good the Savior gave to the world was communicated through this book. But for it we could not know right from wrong. All things most desirable for man’s welfare, here and hereafter, are to be found portrayed in it.” (Abraham Lincoln, September 7, 1864, Upon receiving a Bible from the Loyal Colored People of Baltimore).

Lord, give us a leader who trusts in You!

In Jesus’ Name!