Who Do You Turn To?
By Matt Yamamoto, Director of Youth Ministry
Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save. When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing. Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God. He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them— He remains faithful forever. (Psalms 146:3-6)
I chose this verse because it made it extremely clear to me why it is better to trust in God. It actually feels absurd not to, but that doesn’t mean it’s any easier to trust.
The first verse says: “'Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save.” I love that verse. When I need help with a problem that is bigger than I am, I try to find the biggest “prince” who can help me with it. Sometimes it might be someone I know, and sometimes I find these “princes” through Google or YouTube. But King David, the Psalm writer, is right. Ultimately these princes, though influential, knowledgeable, or powerful, can’t actually save anyone. They are mortal just like you and me, in spite of their accomplishments and accolades. They are just as limited as the rest of us.
David compares these mortals with God, the all-powerful Creator. It seems silly now to compare a prince with God. An influential but limited human being versus the eternal and faithful Creator of all things. It seems totally ridiculous to put my trust in anyone or anything other than God, but that doesn’t mean that it is easy or practical.
Practicality is the idol of our culture. Immediacy and accessibility are the dangerous cocktail that drives our impatience. Whatever isn’t immediately tangible is immediately dismissed. This is why it seems so much more practical and realistic to reach out to the “princes” of the world. They are tangible and immediate, but so is God.
This is the flawed perspective that I need to change. God is just as tangible and reachable as the princes, and even more so. God is only a thought away, and He can actually do something about the issues that I need intervention on. Not only is He able to affect the here and now, He also sees the entirety of my life and how the present fits in the larger picture, how my life fits into eternity.
How much do you trust Him?
Prayer: Dear loving and faithful Father, forgive me for thinking that humans can do more for me than You, the all-powerful God, can. Remind me and help me to turn to You and put my trust in You. Amen.
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