Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. Psalm 146:3

When it comes to this verse, I’m a hypocrite.

The recent conviction on that point surprised me. I’m the one constantly fed up with other Christians. Those who, during election season, act like their preferred political candidate is the only one who can save America. In response, I’ll promptly tweet Psalm 146:3 — a surefire way to win holy points in the midst of partisan tension.

After all, I want people to know that I haven’t given in to the hysterics everyone else has. My confidence is in Christ, not Republicans or Democrats. Share my self righteous Facebook post and be convicted, ye political junkies.  

So I didn’t exactly foresee God telling me that I was guilty of trusting princes more than him. Just as guilty as everyone I criticized.

Conviction Time

The other day I was driving home in rush hour traffic. An audio book played in the background and the sun exuded gentle warmth, mild for Texas springtime. But I wasn’t listening to the novel or enjoying the sunshine. After a workday full of ominous headlines, my brain was churning. Churning with thoughts on the current state of our nation.

The “state of our nation.” What a loaded phrase. There’s ever widening partisan division, economic concerns, health care fears, racial tensions, culture wars, and foreign threats. Meanwhile, none of the people in charge seem to have a good solution to these problems. But we need good solutions. Stat. So somebody in some marble office somewhere better find one before the whole world combusts and…

That’s when the Holy Spirit hit me upside the conscience.

Remember how you’re always criticizing other Christians for trusting politicians rather than me?

Yes…

So you know that you shouldn’t worry. You should trust me. You should meditate on my Word, not your fears.

Uh-oh.

You haven’t been in my Word recently, have you?

Busted.

The truth is that I haven’t been in God’s Word recently. I haven’t been praying as I should. I’ve allowed myself to worry about what the worldly powers are going to do, rather than remembering what God has already done. 

Actions vs. Words

Saying the right thing and doing the right thing are not the same. As obvious as that is, we humans are often fail to do what we say. Christians are no exception. Including me.

Of course I’m not going around saying that I trust in princes, or politicians, more than I trust in God. In fact, I make it a point to say the opposite. Rather loudly. But what do my actions say?

What does it say when I worry about tomorrow, instead of praying about it? What does it say when I stress over current events, instead of spending time in God’s Word?

It says that I’m trusting princes rather than God. It says I’m more concerned with the actions of a president than the promises of a King. I’m more preoccupied with the words of world leaders than with the Word of God. And no amount of tweetable Bible verses or holier-than-thou Facebook posts can change that. 

Forward in Faith

Thankfully, God is patient. Patient enough to convict me like he convicted me the other day on my drive home. Patient enough to open my eyes to my own hypocrisy, while giving me chance upon chance to truly trust him as he commands.

Father, help me to do what I say. Help me to trust in you — in my thoughts as well as my words — rather than trusting in princes. In the midst of troubled times around the world and here in the United States, help me to take the words of Psalm 146 to heart. You are in control. Amen.

Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord, O my soul!
I will praise the Lord as long as I live;
I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.