September 28
The Weight
of Politics
"Don’t put your trust in human leaders. Don’t trust in people. They can’t save you."
Psalm 146:3 (NIrV)
Noah’s heart pounded as he slammed his fist onto the bar. “You’re blind if you can’t see it, Mike! If this guy doesn’t win, we are doomed!” His voice cut through the chatter of the pub, his face red with frustration.
His friends were used to this by now. Every election cycle, Noah became a man possessed—watching the news 24/7, arguing online, pouring over political articles as if they were scripture. He believed that the right leader could fix the world, and the wrong one could destroy it.
Tonight, the debate had gone too far. Mike, one of his oldest friends, had dared to support the other candidate. The discussion had escalated, insults were exchanged, and now Noah was standing, his fists clenched, his breath heavy. A few guys at the bar turned to watch, sensing the tension.
“Alright, that’s enough,” the bartender muttered, placing a firm hand on Noah’s shoulder.
Noah stormed out, his chest heaving as he stepped into the cold night air. The election was only days away, and fear gripped him like a vice. He had seen this before—the wrong person taking power, the world going downhill, everything falling apart. What if it happens again? What if my guy loses?
He walked without direction, trying to calm his shaking hands. His phone buzzed. A text from his wife: Noah, this isn’t healthy. Come home. We need to talk.
He sighed, his anger beginning to dull into exhaustion. As he passed the small church at the end of the block, something pulled him to the steps. He sat down and leaned his head into his hands.
“God,” he muttered. “Why does this control me so much? Why do I feel like everything depends on this?”
A verse floated into his mind—one he had read as a child but never paid much attention to. Don’t put your trust in human leaders. Don’t trust in people. They can’t save you.
For the first time, Noah saw his mistake. He had made politics his god. He had placed his hope in leaders who were just as flawed as anyone else. But only You, Lord, are unchanging. Only You hold the future.
A strange peace settled over him. The election still mattered, but it didn’t have to consume him. The world wouldn’t rise or fall on the shoulders of one politician. God was still on His throne.
He stood up and turned toward home. It was time to put his trust in something greater than a man with a campaign slogan.
Prayer:
Dear God,
Forgive me for placing my trust in people instead of You.
I get caught up in the fears and chaos of this world, believing that everything depends on the right leader or the right outcome.
But You are the only true King. You are in control, no matter who is in power.
Help me to rest in Your sovereignty and trust You above all else.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
