“I don’t make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts.”
Will Rogers
These days, politics aren’t especially funny: they’re more of a bad joke. One doesn’t know whether to laugh or cry. America is less and less civil about its politics, more and more polarized, and less and less effective at producing meaningful change.
This isn’t new. In biblical times, kings and citizens alike fretted over the state of the state. Kings and citizens alike created disastrous human alliances in the name of expediency. Kings and citizens alike trusted government to keep them safe and happy, with disappointing results.
Psalm 20 was written against a backdrop of political turmoil. A psalm of David, it points to a time of political and national unrest during his reign. The psalm mentions trouble and protection (verse 1); help and support (verse 2); victory banners (verse 5); chariots and horses (verse 7); and saving the king (verse 9). Despite the optimistic tone, trouble is brewing. The psalm was written, in part, to warn against trusting the wrong things in the face of such trouble.
The people support the king and pray for him (verse 5). They ask that YHWH accept the king’s prayers (verses 1a, 4a, 5b) and sacrifices (verse 3). They ask that YHWH help and support their king (verse 2) and to make the king’s military plans successful (verse 4b). With any nation the wellbeing of the people is bound up with the wellbeing of their leaders.
The speaker in verse 6 appears to be the king. He’s encouraged by the concern and petitions of his subjects. He’s especially encouraged by the power of God to deliver him in battle.
Perhaps the most profound thought of the psalm is also its greatest challenge: “Some trust in chariots and horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God” (verse 7). In biblical times, most battles were fought with infantry in open fields. Chariots and horses were a huge tactical advantage. The temptation was to accumulate them in hopes of developing a superior army, but YHWH forbade Israelites that luxury (Deuteronomy 17.16). Israel must trust YHWH.
Isaiah said, “Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and rely on horses, and trust in chariots because they are many and in horsemen because they are very strong, but they do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek the LORD!” (Isaiah 31.1)
Haggai wrote, “I am going to shake the heavens and the earth. I will overthrow the thrones of kingdoms and destroy the power of the kingdoms of the nations; and I will overthrow the chariots and their riders, and the horses and their riders will go down, everyone by the sword of another” (Haggai 2.21b-22).
For Israel it was always about trust: Would they trust human wisdom or God’s, human power or God’s? It’s no different for us today. While the right to vote is a precious privilege, don’t forget that elections, politicians, governments, and armies are human power structures. Real power resides with God.
I’ve been eligible to vote in 12 presidential elections. Each one is “the most important decision in our lifetimes.” With each one, “the nation’s future hangs in the balance.” Each one says, “the choice couldn’t be clearer.” After a while, it all sounds alike. The danger is believing it.
We must remember that there are some things elections don’t change. God is still on his throne (Daniel 2.21; Isaiah 40.15, 17). Jesus is still Lord (1 Timothy 6.15; Revelation 17.14; 19.16; Revelation 15.3-4). The Holy Spirit is alive and well (Ephesians 4.3; Philippians 1.27; 2.1-2). The Bible is still God’s word (Isaiah 40.6-8; Psalm 119.89). The church belongs to Christ (Matthew 16.18; Ephesians 3.8-11). Disciples of Jesus are lights in the world (Matthew 5.14-16; Philippians 2.14-16). In the end, God’s people win (See the book of Revelation).
Our God reigns!