Eliminate Misplaced Trust

Fresh Manna 2009© by Pastor Tim Burt

1 Timothy 2:1-3 “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior.”

Wednesday was the first day of office of our newly elected President Barak Obama. Tuesday was a great day of celebration. Wednesday is the first day of this new reality.

The inauguration and celebration was historical in so many ways. The first African American President took his oath as the 44th President of the United States. What a great day for the black community. To begin to overcome years of historical hardship, injustice, and tragedy and begin to see what Martin Luther King envisioned come to pass is truly great for America and for all. His inauguration speech was outstanding and he truly already is a great communicator. The entire country is now hoping for healing, restoration, and greatness to be restored to America. But, this feeling will soon give way to the realties of the issues that lie before the President and leaders of our nation. When years have gone by and we look back in hindsight, will we have seen what we hoped for come to pass? One thing is for sure. To put this kind of burden and expectation upon any man or any group of leaders would be foolish. The leadership of our nation has always been intended by God to be lifted to the throne of Heaven in prayer and laid at His feet. That is God’s expectation for us!

First, God calls us to not look to or put trust in man for provision and peaceable lives but to absolutely trust in Him. Jeremiah 17: 5-8 instructs, This is what the Lord says: “Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans and turn their hearts away from the Lord. They are like stunted shrubs in the desert, with no hope for the future. They will live in the barren wilderness, on the salty flats where no one lives. “But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they go right on producing delicious fruit.

Our knowledge in, our trust in, our faith in God alone as the one who establishes this nation in what it should be has got to be foundational. If we do put all our trust in God, this shouldn’t cause us to be indifferent, apathetic, or careless and negligent toward our President and the running of our nation even though it has for many Christians. Because we do trust in God and not in a man, does not mean forget about our leaders and just go on with our own selfish lives? It is God that has established offices of authority that He instructs us to pray for, not mock and or become indifferent to. He deals with the hearts of leaders as we our faithful to do our parts. Our first responsibility is this: Place your trust in God but don’t become indifferent toward praying for the leadership of our nation.

1 Timothy 2:1-3 instructs us, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior.” Just as the President and leadership of our nation have enormous roles that affect every American and beyond – we also have a role. That is to support them in prayer that we may live in godliness and peace. We are called to pray – to hold in heart, the leadership of our nation and to pray – not become indifferent and go about our own lives. To not pray is indifference. Indifference is to not care. God calls indifference being lukewarm – neither hot or cold. God shares exactly how He feels about the lukewarm saying, “I know your actions, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! But, because you are lukewarm–neither hot nor cold–I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” (Revelation 3:15-16)

We didn’t elect superman to office. We didn’t elect God to office. We elected President Barak Obama – God’s clear choice for us now in this day and time, and those he has raised up as his administration. We elected them and they cannot and will not succeed without the prayers of Christians everywhere. They have their roles. We have ours. We’ve seen the decline these past years and the need for the prayers has never been more clear. President Obama has been elected President. We have been elected to pray. Let us all execute our God given responsibilities with thanksgiving and with diligence.

In His Love,
Pastor Tim Burt