Hope During Election

The psalm for today's Morning Prayer was 146, a song of praise. There we pray:

"put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation...Blessed is the one whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever, who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry."

Timely words. The folly of placing one's trust in a "prince" is seen in that as a human, that leader is not able to save; "his breath departs". In contrast stands the Lord, the eternal God. His might is seen in the immensity and beauty of his creation. His compassion is seen in his carrying out justice for the oppressed. The psalm continues, describing the Lord's care of the prisoners, the blind, those bowed down, and others besides.

I realize that we are now less than a week away from 03 Nov. Perhaps reading that date stirs up some anxious thoughts, wherever you are politically. I am grateful that we live in a democratic society, though it is far from perfect. The cracks we see in it should lead us to engage in redeeming it where we can, but also join Abraham and others "as they desire a better country, that is a heavenly one" (Heb 11:16), thus placing our hope in God and not in human leaders.

Whatever the outcome will be for this presidential election, let us practice, even now, not placing our ultimate hope in our political leaders. We belong to the God who made heaven and earth, a God of justice. This is also a time to be mindful of those who are without hope because they are without God. For them, they can do no other than to place trust in leaders of this world. But you, you may be a source of comfort, light, joy, and peace, even in such times as these, because you are a daughter or son of the God of all creation.

I realize that these next few weeks may be trying, difficult, or joyous for you. Please know that I am available for whatever you might need so please do not think that your joy or sorrow is too little.

Grace & Peace