“Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person.” - Mother Teresa February, 2008 But we know something the world—and, apparently, most of the candidates—doesn’t know: All these things come from God, not from politicians or governments. No matter how noble or well-intentioned, ultimately, they cannot give us what we need. Only God can do that. Apart from God, none of us will have what we truly need. Let’s look at some of these “needs” and see how God provides for them: Let’s start with leadership. Only God can lead us where we need to go and only God can get us to our destination. In Old Testament times, the Psalmist wrote, in the familiar 23rd Psalm, “The Lord is my shepherd . . . He leads me beside still waters. . . . He leads me in paths of Again, true security comes from God, not from armies or weapons or policies. The Psalmist wrote, “Put not your trust in princes,” (Psa. 146:3a). Only God deserves our trust, for only God cannot fail us (Josh. 21:45). The prophet Isaiah proclaimed to the people of Israel, As for prosperity, Jesus told the people, Finally, change: The only change that truly matters is a change in ourselves, a change from within. And only God can transform us on the inside where it matters. Paul told the Roman Christians, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Rom. 12:2 ESV). And he wrote to the Corinthians that they were Our country—and our world—are full of people who are looking for answers; for leadership, security, prosperity, change, and all the rest. We know the one who can provide our needs and theirs. We have “good news” for them. Politicians are well known for their “campaign promises.” But those promises are all too frequently empty or broken. God’s promises are real and lasting. King David gratefully prayed, “‘And now, O Lord God, you are God, and your words are true, and you have promised this good thing to your servant.’” (2 Sam. 7:28 ESV). But best of all, John wrote, “And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life.” (1 John 2:25 ESV). We can spread the news that everyone can count on God’s promises; God will not disappoint us. “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” (Heb. 10:23 ESV.) |