Where is your hope?

"Praise the LORD!
Praise the LORD, O my soul!
I will praise the LORD while I live;
I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.
Do not trust in princes,
In mortal man, in whom there is no salvation.
His spirit departs, he returns to the earth;
In that very day his thoughts perish.
How blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
Whose hope is in the LORD his God;
Who made heaven and earth,
The sea and all that is in them;
Who keeps truth forever;
Who executes justice for the oppressed;
Who gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets the prisoners free;
The LORD opens the eyes of the blind;
The LORD raises up those who are bowed down;
The LORD loves the righteous;
The LORD protects the strangers;
He supports the fatherless and the widow;
But He thwarts the way of the wicked.
The LORD will reign forever,
Thy God, O Zion, to all generations.
Praise the LORD!"
- Psalm 146

I was determined not to post something related to politics, but if you are anything like me, it is something that has been on your mind over the last couple of days. Whether you are thrilled at the outcome of the election or pessimistically bemoaning the results, one thing remains true, God is ultimately in control.

Israel was a nation that knew war, natural disaster, political upheaval, and poverty. The author and time period of this particular psalm is unknown, but some speculate that it could have been Ezra or Nehemiah, meaning it could be as far into Israel's history as during the exile or shortly after a remnant returned to the land. I cannot help but think that no matter what the context was, this psalm was written during a time of great transition, unrest, and political uncertainty. It could have been written during the reign of a wonderful king, a horrible king, or likely no king at all! This psalm was written as a reminder that no matter what the political circumstances the nation was currently facing, God was the one in charge.

It did not matter who the leader was, because every leader was mortal. It is rather explicit, but verses 3 and 4 essentially say, do not trust in princes because they die, they are not permanent, they cannot give salvation. Only God is eternal. He is the possessor of full sovereignty and provider of our salvation.

Just look at the actions of God in this psalm: He made, keeps, executes, gives, sets free, heals, raises up, loves, protects, supports, and reigns. He helps the helpless and executes justice. None of His children are overlooked- the oppressed, hungry, prisoner, blind, lowly, stranger, orphan, and widow. Are you in financial peril, in need of physical healing, isolated, alone, stuck, discouraged? Every need is covered with His provision, protection, healing, and love.

Finally, notice that the psalm begins and ends with praise and carries a tone of relief that no matter what the circumstances God can be depended on to provide and protect. He is on the throne- He was then, He is now, and He will be forever. So where is your hope? Are you depending on a certain political leader? Are you clawing for that next paycheck to make ends meet? Are you clinging to a human relationship or hoping for a change in circumstances to make you complete and satisfied? Or have you started to give up altogether? Be reminded that God is Creator and Sustainer. He has not forgotten about you or lost control. He can be trusted and He deserves our hope and praise.