We place a tremendous amount of hope in our politicians. It’s nothing new to see division, confusion, and chaos after a presidential election. Sure, this election feels more intense than others; yet, the basis for the angst remains the same: politicians cannot deliver what only Jesus can.
When we lose sight of Jesus and his kingdom, we desire to place politicians on the throne. As Timothy Keller has rightfully said in his book, Counterfeit Gods, “the increasing political polarization and bitterness we see in U.S. politics today is a sign that we have made political activism into a form of religion.” Of course. The intensity with which I see people fighting over their political candidate strongly suggests that much of our country has fallen into political idolatry. We need Jesus, not Biden or Trump.
I understand there is corruption in government at every level. We shouldn’t be shocked. Sin is the greatest problem facing humanity. It has tainted everything, perhaps especially our politics.
In his book, Keller further states, “in the biblical view of things, the main problem in life is sin, and the only solution is God and his grace. The alternative to this view is to identify something besides sin as the main problem with the world and something besides God as the main remedy. That demonizes something that is not completely bad, and makes an idol out of something that cannot be the ultimate good.” Welcome to the 2020 presidential election.
Can I leave you with one thought? When Job was fighting with his friends over the cause of his suffering, God eventually spoke and demolished all doubt about his sovereignty and grace (Job 38-42). If you find yourself in a place of frustration or hatred toward anyone who disagrees with your political position, consider these questions:
Where was Donald Trump when the earth’s foundation was laid? Did he mark off its dimensions? Surely you know! Did he stretch a measuring line across it?
Has Joe Biden ever given orders to the morning, or shown the dawn its place, that it might take the earth by the edges and shake the wicked out of it?
Has Trump journeyed to the springs of the sea or walked in the recesses of the deep? Have the gates of death been shown to him? Has he seen the gates of the deepest darkness? Has he comprehended the vast expanses of the earth? Tell me if you know all this.
Does Biden know the way to the place where the lightning is dispersed, or the place where the east winds are scattered over the earth? Can he raise his voice to the clouds and cover himself with a flood of water?
Does Trump give the horse its strength or clothe its neck with a flowing mane?
Does the eagle soar at Biden’s command and build its nest on high?
Surely you see that our politicians cannot move the foundations of the earth. God can. God has. God will do it again.
If our main problem in life is sin, only Jesus can provide the solution. He died for your sin and mine. He died for the sins of the world. All who come to him will find rest (Matthew 11:28).
May we turn from our idolatrous ways and run to Jesus. He will embrace us in his arms. May we repent of our foolishness, believing that politicians can solve the problems of the world. God will not be mocked, yet, his grace will always be sufficient.
When our idols fail us, Jesus remains.
Daniel Seabaugh 