Remarks From the Reverend

Author’s Note: This is first of a series of devotion from Psalm 146. Each devotional will cover one or more verses of this Psalm, beginning with verse 3 to the end of the Psalm.

“Do not put your trust in princes, Nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help. His spirit departs, he returns to his earth; in that very day his plans perish.” – Psalm 146:3-4

Our nation is in much trouble; and the people of this country are looking for solutions to the many problems they are facing. In their search they are looking to solutions based on man-centered ideologies. “We the people” must unite to overcome our enemies; “we the people” must find a leader to lead our nation in its fight for freedom. Looking to the leadership of a man or a group of so-called “patriots” puts the focus on us and one man, not on the One in whom real freedom is found. This is quite troubling; a troubling trend that seems to be growing even within Christian communities everywhere. As a result, instead of peace, there is strife and division.

It is clear that the solutions to all of our problems are not addressing the underlying problem: SIN! “We the people” will never solve this problem no matter who is leading this nation or any other nation.

“We the people” are not the solution, we are the problem. We want freedom our way, not God’s way; without God. As a result, we will end up losing every freedom, both individually and as a nation. Therefore, let’s not put our trust or hope in “princes’” or the “son of men.” Further, any gains achieved through man’s efforts will soon be lost (v. 4). Rather, put your trust and hope in Him who purchased true freedom and peace for you; a freedom and peace that lasts forever! This is a real hope, an eternal hope that helpless and hopeless sinners like you and me, can put our trust in and rest upon with our whole being.

Jesus Christ sets sinners free from the condemnation of sin and its enslavement chaining us to the lusts of our flesh, the pride of life and the following after the deceptions of the devil (John 3:18; Ephesians 2:1-5; 1 John 2:15-17). This freedom cannot be lost because Jesus Christ is our conqueror, who will keep us until He brings about the new heavens and the new earth and casts all of the wicked (all who are without Jesus Christ) into outer darkness, reaping their reward of eternal torment in hell, weeping and gnashing their teeth, forever! (Romans 8:31-39; Ephesians 1:13-14; 2 Peter 3:10-13; Revelation 20:11-21:8) Won’t you put your trust and hope in Jesus Christ alone, not only for your eternal salvation, but also for your salvation from the wickedness that has become so bold and in-your-face in this world and those who are enslaved to it, as instruments of death and destruction?

This freedom; this hope is worth fighting for, because it will bring about real peace; peace with God, our Creator and peace between individuals. However, this fight is not with carnal weapons of men but spiritual; the gospel of Jesus Christ and the ministry of grace alone through faith alone according to the word of God alone; it’s the power of God to salvation for all who believe in Jesus Christ and have turned to Him in repentance of their sins. We live and strive in dark times. Let’s be a beacon of light to the world, not a light of force, not a light of man’s reasoning, or of princes or sons of men “in whom there is no help”; rather let’s be a gospel light shining in the darkness and praying for our enemies that God will work grace in the hearts of His and our enemies so that everlasting freedom and peace will reign in their hearts. Jesus Christ will work His peace, His freedom in the midst of a nation that will turn from its idolatry and sexual immorality, its greed and hatred and division, and turns to Him for salvation and an everlasting hope, built on the blood He shed on the cross for sinners like you and me; and not on blood that is shed in the streets for a temporary peace, a temporary freedom in a fallen, sin-filled world.

Soli Deo Gloria!

Rev. Richard Stetler, of Hartley, is the CEO and founder of Reformation Gospel Ministries. Visit http://www.reformationgospelministries.org for more information.