{"id":2292250,"date":"2024-07-10T19:44:00","date_gmt":"2024-07-10T23:44:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/3-reasons-why-christians-should-trust-in-god-not-earthly-rulers\/"},"modified":"2024-07-10T19:48:49","modified_gmt":"2024-07-10T23:48:49","slug":"3-reasons-why-christians-should-trust-in-god-not-earthly-rulers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/3-reasons-why-christians-should-trust-in-god-not-earthly-rulers\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Reasons Why Christians Should Trust in God, Not Earthly Rulers"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2F3-reasons-why-christians-should-trust-in-god-not-earthly-rulers%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2292250&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/new-york-times-issues-multiple-corrections-for-article-falsely-claiming-900000-u-s-children-have-been-hospitalized-for-covid-19-during-pandemic\/\" title=\"New York Times Issues Multiple Corrections For Article Falsely Claiming 900,000 U.S. Children Have Been Hospitalized For COVID-19 During Pandemic\">article discusses<\/a>\u200d the importance of not placing\u2062 our trust\u200b in earthly\u2064 rulers but instead trusting\u2062 in God. It\u200c explains \u200dthat political\u200b leaders\u200c will \u2062always disappoint because they are human beings, emphasizing the warning in the Bible\u200b to not trust in princes. The writer also highlights the deceptive nature of earthly governments and the\u200d need to\u2062 place\u200c our hope in God\u2063 instead. The article\u200d provides three\u2062 reasons why it is crucial to trust in \u2064God rather than men: God&#8217;s unmatched power,\u2063 His faithfulness\u2062 and justice, and His ultimate authority as\u200d the true ruler. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/is-bidens-cabinet-lying-to-cover-his-decrepit-mental-state\/\" title=\"Is Biden&#039;s Cabinet Covering Up His Mental Decline?\">author urges readers<\/a> to recognize \u2062God&#8217;s sovereignty and to\u2063 prioritize their faith in Him over any earthly ruler.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><br \/>\n<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\"> <?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><html><body><\/p>\n<header> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/commentary\/\">  Commentary <\/a>   <span> <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/author\/washingtonstand\/\">  <\/a> <\/p>\n<p> <span>   By <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/author\/washingtonstand\/%20\"><span>Joshua Arnold, The Washington Stand<\/span><\/a> <\/span> <span>   July 10, 2024 at 3:06pm <\/span> <\/span>  <\/header>\n<section>\n<p>It\u2019s a fact of life: political leaders will disappoint. I don\u2019t have to know any particular leader to say that.<\/p>\n<p>All I have to know is that he or she is a human being, because \u201call have sinned and fall short of the glory of God\u201d (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Romans+3%3A23&#038;version=ESV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Romans 3:23<\/a>). This is why the Word of God warns us, \u201cPut not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation\u201d (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Psalm+146%3A3&#038;version=ESV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Psalm 146:3<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>It is easier to agree with this command abstractly than to apply it concretely. We can affirm the fallenness of man, but then build our plans on or place our hope in the success of this party or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/trump-warned-potential-vp-pick-constitutional-problem-cost-election\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">those candidates<\/a> or that political program. By their very nature, earthly governments court and demand our respect and allegiance \u2014 sometimes to the exclusion of our higher allegiance to God.<\/p>\n<p>Oftentimes, the pressure to put our trust in earthly rulers (of both monarchic or democratic varieties) is subtle and deceptive. Jesus himself warned that \u201cfalse christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect\u201d (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Matthew+24%3A24&#038;version=ESV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Matthew 24:24<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>John and Daniel received apocalyptic visions of just this sort of blasphemous ruler, portrayed as a beast, who deceives the nations and seeks to usurp the authority that belongs only to God (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Daniel+7%3A15-27&#038;version=ESV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Daniel 7:15-27<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Revelation+13%3A1-18&#038;version=ESV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Revelation 13:1-18<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>Over the past 2,000 years, many <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/allegiance-not-trump-encourages-christians-vote\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Christians<\/a> have noticed the parallels between these passages and their own historical contexts, suggesting a pattern: that false christs will continue to arise, even in our day, until the end. Therefore, Jesus\u2019s opening warning from the Olivet Discourse is still relevant today: \u201cSee that no one leads you astray\u201d (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Matthew+24%3A4&#038;version=ESV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Matthew 24:4<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>Of course, it takes more than a negative command to keep our hearts from placing their trust in earthly rulers. We should trust in something else instead; our trust should be in God. The psalmist continues, \u201cBlessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God\u201d (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Psalm+146%3A5&#038;version=ESV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Psalm 146:5<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>The word \u201cblessed\u201d signals that this statement (as well as the entire psalm) is providing a general statement of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/our-messaging-does-not-align-dozens-of-public-libraries-reportedly-reject-kirk-cameron-story-hour-over-faith-based-book\/\" title=\"\u2018Our Messaging Does Not Align\u2019: Dozens Of Public Libraries Reportedly Reject Kirk Cameron Story Hour Over Faith-Based Book\">biblical wisdom<\/a>. So, instead of reducing this statement to a formula (\u201cHope in God, you\u2019ll receive a blessing\u201d), we should inquire into the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/new-poll-finds-conservatives-happier-than-liberals-marriage-and-family-strong-predictors\/\" title=\"New Poll Finds Conservatives Happier Than Liberals, Marriage And Family Strong Predictors\">larger <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/disappointing-capitulation-evangelical-leaders-condemn-largest-protestant-adoption-agency-for-opening-adoptions-to-lgbt-couples\/\" title=\"\u2018Disappointing Capitulation\u2019: Evangelical Leaders Condemn Largest Protestant Adoption Agency For Opening Adoptions To LGBT Couples\">biblical principles<\/a><\/a> that make this statement true. The psalm itself provides three reasons to trust in God, not earthly rulers.<\/p>\n<h3>1. God is more powerful than men.<\/h3>\n<p>The psalmist\u2019s first warrant for trusting God rather than men is their comparative power. No one is more powerful than the Lord God, \u201cwho made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them\u201d (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Psalm+146%3A6&#038;version=ESV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Psalm 146:6<\/a>), and no one will ever pose a challenge to the power of the one, eternal, unchanging God.<\/p>\n<p>By contrast, every human ruler is destined to die, after which he can accomplish nothing. This reality is pressed into Americans\u2019 consciousness as they contemplate a presidential contest between candidates who are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/biden-campaign-scrambles-make-excuse-trump-calls-bluff-golf-challenge\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">81 and 78 years old<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>But human mortality does not only apply to earthly rulers in their dotage. President John F. Kennedy, who won election at least in part by appearing younger and more energetic than his opponent, was assassinated at the jarring young age of 46.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish,\u201d writes the psalmist (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Psalm+146%3A4&#038;version=ESV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Psalm 146:4<\/a>). This statement deliberately recalls the creation of man, when \u201cthe Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature\u201d (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Genesis+2%3A7&#038;version=ESV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Genesis 2:7<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>God created each and every human ruler. He existed before them, and He will outlive them. By contrast, no man created himself. No man can control the day of his own death. And no man can control what happens after his death. Put not your trust in mortal princes.<\/p>\n<h3>2. God is a faithful and just savior.<\/h3>\n<p>The psalmist next turns to consider God\u2019s character, as revealed through His intervention in the world.<\/p>\n<p>The \u201cGod of Jacob,\u201d who made magnificent promises through Abraham and his descendants, \u201ckeeps faith forever\u201d (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Psalm+146%3A5-6&#038;version=ESV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Psalm 146:5-6<\/a>). Political leaders may make promises and then break them. They may avow certain policy stances in one election and veer away from them in the next.<\/p>\n<p>They may, like David, show great piety then commit heinous sins. But, \u201cthough every one were a liar,\u201d God is still true (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Romans+3%3A4&#038;version=ESV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Romans 3:4<\/a>), and He never breaks His promises. \u201cThe Lord of hosts has sworn: \u2018As I have planned, so shall it be, and as I have purposed, so shall it stand\u2019\u201d (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Isaiah+14%3A24&#038;version=ESV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Isaiah 14:24<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>Among other things that God has sworn, Jesus declares, \u201cWhoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted\u201d (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Matthew+23%3A12&#038;version=ESV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Matthew 23:12<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Luke+14%3A11&#038;version=ESV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Luke 14:11<\/a>). This expresses a principle of just reversal, found throughout Scripture from Joseph to Hannah to Hezekiah, whereby <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/outspoken-atheist-goes-viral-publicly-coming-realization-god\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">God<\/a> helps the humble poor who trust in Him and opposes the mighty proud. Indeed, this principle is at work in this very psalm.<\/p>\n<p>The psalmist testifies by the Spirit that God is the one \u201cwho 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 lifts up those who are bowed down. \u2026 The Lord watches over the sojourners; he upholds the widow and the fatherless\u201d (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Psalm+146%3A7-9&#038;version=ESV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Psalm 146:7-9<\/a>). To each one, God will give the help that \u201cyour heavenly Father knows that you need\u201d (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Matthew+6%3A32&#038;version=ESV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Matthew 6:32<\/a>) \u2014 salvation, help, and, above all, justice.<\/p>\n<p>The distinction between these two classes of people \u2014 those God aids and those He opposes \u2014 is not simply between the \u201chaves\u201d and the \u201chave-nots\u201d or the \u201cprivileged\u201d and the \u201cunder-privileged,\u201d as attempts at Marxist syncretism erroneously suggest. No, the distinction is a moral one.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe Lord loves the righteous \u2026 but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin\u201d (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Psalm+146%3A8-9&#038;version=ESV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Psalm 146:8-9<\/a>). The Psalter makes this clear from its opening song, \u201cthe Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish\u201d (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Psalm+1%3A6&#038;version=ESV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Psalm 1:6<\/a>). God justly saves the righteous and ruins the wicked.<\/p>\n<p>Not that anyone can achieve their own righteousness in the eyes of God. \u201cThere is none who does good, not even one\u201d (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Psalm+14%3A3&#038;version=ESV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Psalm 14:3<\/a>). Rather, as Paul convincingly argues in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Romans+4&#038;version=ESV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Romans 4<\/a>, old covenant believers were always saved by grace through faith; even Abraham \u201cbelieved the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness\u201d (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Genesis+15%3A6&#038;version=ESV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Genesis 15:6<\/a>). The distinction between the righteous and the wicked \u2014 those God aids and those He opposes \u2014 is between those who repent of their sins and trust in Him (and now, with fuller revelation, in the person and work of Jesus Christ) for salvation.<\/p>\n<p>This <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/share-gospel-everyone-no-case-hopeless-jesus-lives\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">salvation<\/a> is most fundamentally in the final judgment because salvation from God\u2019s final wrath is the most important kind, but God still watches over and delivers His people in this world, too.<\/p>\n<h3>3. God is the true ruler.<\/h3>\n<p>The third reason the psalmist offers for trusting God over earthly rulers is that God is the true ruler. \u201cThe Lord will reign forever, your God, O Zion, to all generations. Praise the Lord!\u201d (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Psalm+146%3A10&#038;version=ESV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Psalm 146:10<\/a>). Behind and above every human government sits the Almighty Lord of the universe (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Romans+13%3A1&#038;version=ESV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Romans 13:1<\/a>). \u201cHe changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings\u201d (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Daniel+2%3A21&#038;version=ESV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Daniel 2:21<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>So, if you think a politician, party, or governing official is powerful, God is more powerful still. If you think a politician, party, or governing official is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/state-ag-files-suit-biden-administration-exceeding-legal-authority\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">using their power poorly<\/a>, remember that God has instituted them. Remember too that He can sweep them away in a moment.<\/p>\n<p>Remember how Paul applied these biblical principles, instructing politically powerless Christians to pray for their rulers, \u201cthat we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way\u201d (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=1+Timothy+2%3A2&#038;version=ESV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">1 Timothy 2:2<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>You may not have noticed, but the psalmist\u2019s three reasons cover the past, the present, and the future. Why should we put our trust in God and not in earthly rulers? God made the world in the past. He continues to watch over His people in the present. And He will continue to reign over all, until the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/bible-prophecy-israels-mysterious-red-cows-middle-east-tensions-end-times\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">end of time<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3>A Simple Application<\/h3>\n<p>These reflections provoke the psalmist to end his song the way he began, with praise for the God who is worthy of all our trust and devotion. \u201cPraise the Lord!\u201d he declared. \u201cPraise 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\u201d (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Psalm+146%3A1-2&#038;version=ESV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Psalm 146:1-2<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>When we\u2019re tempted to put our trust in princes, let us follow the psalmist\u2019s lead and praise the Lord instead.<\/p>\n<p><em>This article appeared originally on <a href=\"https:\/\/washingtonstand.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Washington Stand<\/a>. <\/em><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<p><\/body><\/html><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In his commentary, Joshua Arnold discusses the importance of not placing our trust in political leaders, as they are fallible human beings. He emphasizes the need to trust in God instead, citing biblical passages that warn against relying on earthly rulers. Arnold provides three reasons why trusting in God is superior to trusting in men: God&#8217;s power surpasses that of any human ruler, God is faithful and just in His actions, and God is the true ruler over all. He concludes by encouraging readers to praise the Lord rather than putting their trust in political figures<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2292251,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Man-sitting-and-contemplating-what-he-just-read.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[5695,5250,6521],"class_list":["post-2292250","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-christianity","tag-faith","tag-trust"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Man-sitting-and-contemplating-what-he-just-read.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2292250","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2292250"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2292250\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2292251"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2292250"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2292250"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2292250"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}