Articles and thoughts by Steve Green.
Men At Best
September 8th, 2008
The eyes of our nation are on the candidates. Television ratings are up dramatically and interest in the upcoming election is at an all time high. With a dash of Hollywood and a good dose of theatrics, each party put on a convention show that was impressive, desiring to persuade voters to lend their support and cast a vote in their favor come November.
Along with you, I’ve watched the speeches and listened to the endless analysis. In the end each of us must come to a conclusion as to which candidate best represents our values and worldview. Yet behind all the rhetoric there looms a troubling issue. Does it seem to you that once again people are looking for a savior, a leader who will deliver them from their problems and give them what they long for? What’s more, the candidates seem eager to play the part. The faces of convention goers betray their misplaced hope as they either weep with emotion or cheer at the prospect of deliverance.
In announcing one of the candidates, a speaker assured the crowd that our nation would be secure in the hands of this nominee. The people shouted their approval and I quietly trembled at the suggestion.
Our founding fathers had at least a fundamental understanding of the depravity of the human heart and so formed a system of government with checks and balances. While there would surely be remarkable leaders in positions of government, they were still just like the rest of us, real people who had been given the task of serving the good of their fellow citizens. The wisest of them trembled at the responsibility and acknowledged their dependence upon the Almighty.
When William Carey was nearing the end of his life he was asked which verse he wanted preached at his memorial service. Fearing that too much would be made of him after his death and wanting to magnify God’s grace he pointed to Psalm 51:1, “Have mercy on me O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my many transgressions.”
Charles Spurgeon reminds us that the best of men are at best, just men. There are no earthly saviors that will usher in utopia. We have the great privilege of casting a vote for our candidate of choice, but we must guard against pinning our hopes on any person, for in the end, they are just men at best.
11 Comments »
Steve, you should’ve been at both conventions to read this! LOL Not that any of those convention-goers would’ve listened mind you, but maybe a few would’ve gotten the message that there is only one Saviour and He was never merely a man like the others! Looking forward to seeing you next month in Fairhope, AL! Have a safe trip!
Comment by Melissa — September 8, 2008 @ 7:23 am
Good thoughts Steve. It is easy to get caught up in the hype. Still I do think there is something to be said about McCain being tried in the fires of affliction in Hanoi as well as his own party members and his testimony he has and the testimony of that Viet Cong guard giving him relief during his torture and then scribbling the cross on the ground. I do believe he and Sarah will be friendly to evangelical believers but indeed we must guard ourselves from being blinded by political might. Still as a veteran one can understand the plight of another veteran and the darkness veterans have passed through so that many in this nation can pick up a quart of milk and a loaf of bread each day with ease while many other nations walk miles for the same need. McCain did give testimony to how he was broken and the shame of it and then stating that his country saved him and he is forever grateful. As believers we know that God has delivered us from darkness and we are forever grateful to him. I was just sort of wondering if McCain was trying to convey that message to us by way of our nation, but all the balloons the videos and the hype does sometimes make me want to vomit from both parties. There is more hype over Sarah though than him and he still seems to take it in stride and carries on just the same.
I still think I know what you are driving at though. You are an MK and perhaps being one you hold a perspective others may not entirely see. I was an MK in Hong Kong with ABWE. When returning to the States it can be a bit surreal and different and I do think many in this nation have blinders on and do not quite see it. In reality though we all have blindspots here and there.
The battle does indeed belong to the Lord though and all of us must tremble before his hand in all things. It has been said that Spurgeon would often vomit before he got behind the pulpit to preach the word of God as men were in the basement praying for him. Anytime we speak of God we are representing someone awesome beyond our wildest imaginations. Praise God that we are saved by grace and not law.
Grace upon grace,
Brian
Comment by Brian Hedrick — September 8, 2008 @ 9:21 am
Righteousness exalteth a nation; but sin is a reproach to any people. -Proverbs 14:34
Comment by Jonathan Abel — September 8, 2008 @ 2:11 pm
Indeed. Only God truly provides (Genesis 22:8). Praise Him!
Pray for Christ-righteous individuals to govern the land and for self-governance, all according to God’s law word. Else, ensuing chaos- anarchy or tyranny. Is the U.S.A. really any different than the sad state of Israel in Judges 21:25?
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
–Proverbs 29:2
Comment by Bill Zierfuss — September 8, 2008 @ 8:52 pm
Dear Steve,
Thank you for sharing your wise counsel in these matters. As a believer I am thinking the best place for any of us to be is on our knees asking the good Lord to have His will and way in our country. May revival come…until we tire of our ways, we do not always long for God’s way..the best way.
I was listening to a song this morning on a CD composed of songs concerning the apostle Paul, “Pressing On.” As I write this, I wish I could remember the title of this particular song…the most important thing, though, is the subject matter. The song addressed the idea of the church (Bride of Christ) abandoning her first love for Christ for lesser things. May the Lord help us all remember Him first as we pray and fast to vote accordingly, remembering the truth of Second Chronicles 7:14.
In Him we stand and proclaim Christ,
Natalie
Comment by Natalie — September 9, 2008 @ 3:44 pm
Dear Steve,
How true it is that so many people seem to be so ready to be our deliverer, and how ready we seem to be to turn to a person instead of to our God. I think that is why God reminds us so often that faith is the reliance on what we cannot see or know.
I am now a missionary in Romania and just went through a set of elections here. How different yet the same they all seem. Everyman weighing what this candidate or that candidate can offer for him or her. Oh, and as a sideline - which one will best protect what is true and right.
This is a world wide problem of men forgetting God and relying on the hand of man to give them what they want. I just pray that God is merciful with us all for a little longer to bring more to reliance on Him. Not just the unsaved, but remind those who already are His children to turn back to Him.
Comment by Gemma — September 15, 2008 @ 7:14 am
“Our founding fathers had at least a fundamental understanding of the depravity of the human heart and so formed a system of government with checks and balances.”
I’ve often made the same observation. Most governments are predicated on the notion that at least some men are good enough to lead a country on their own.
Brian is right that seeing daily life under governments that do not recognize this is an eye-opener. Americans appear to be spoiled and indeed we are, but we are so because it is recognized that no one person or group of people can be expected to lead us honorably without being held accountable for their governmental activities.
My wife and children just returned from 8 weeks of ministry in Venezuela and the difference becomes increasingly evident to them each year we minister there.
None of us are capable of doing any good on our own and we need the support of our fellowship with other believers to hold us accountable and encourage us in the spiritual battles that we all must face. This is as true in the government as with anyone in our fallen world.
In Christ,
-Jim
Comment by Jim Pemberton — September 16, 2008 @ 3:17 pm
Dear Brother, You couldn’t have said it better. For years this nation has been looking for a political savior. It sounds oh so familiar, doesn’t it? Isn’t that why Israel missed it when Jesus appeared? They too were looking for a political savior. We are no different; people are people. We may be in a differnt century, but we all search, and apart from the gracious mercy of God, we would never find our way to Jesus. Thank God though; He is gracious and merciful. What we see in our culture and the political arena is ultimately a reflection of God having set eternity in the heart of every man, woman, boy, and girl. May we, as his body, reflect Christ and by so doing, point many to Him. Blessings, Kathleen
Comment by Kathleen — September 19, 2008 @ 9:17 pm
This is my first visit to this site, and reading the comments almost gave me a feeling of deja vu from the days of reading the “Left Behind” series. Thank you all for your wonderful comments, they have been a blessing to me in this time of my life when I am surrounded by so many unbelievers. God bless you all.
Comment by Karen — September 27, 2008 @ 9:51 am
Thanks, Steve, for sharing your perspective on the elections. I can only say, “Amen”! I’ve personally been concerned about many Christians I know who put so much of their hope in politics. The fact is that very little was said by Jesus and the apostles about politics. A case may be argued that if they lived in a democracy then they would have said more, but who knows? What we do know is that the Scriptures call us to put our hope first in the Lord and to see ourselves as strangers in this world with our true home and citizenship in God’s Kingdom. Elected officials truly are “just men”, some better than others, but as believers may we not be shaken by the shifting winds of politics. May the world see our peace and confidence that comes from the Lord, especially in the midst of difficult times. In His grace, Joel
Comment by Joel — October 14, 2008 @ 12:16 pm
Thank you, Steve;a blessing to me and Praise the Lord for teaching us the Lord’s prayer;and giving Peace beyond understanding and the prayers of the righteous avail much!
Comment by Janet Heitzman — October 28, 2008 @ 10:27 am