Psalm 146:3 Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save.

It’s interesting that we need to be reminded of this so often. Human beings can do a lot of damage, and sometimes they can do a lot of good, but ultimately they are indeed just human. Right now various names pop up constantly in the news: Putin, Zelensky, Biden, and a number of others. Leaders are important, but they are never supreme, whatever titles they might claim for themselves. We are very easily distracted by people in various ways. People are indeed important, so much so that God sent His Son to die to save them, but they are important only because God says they are; they have no power or value except what God imparts to them. And of course, that applies to us as well, because we are just as human as anyone else we might think of. The point is to keep our focus on God, knowing that all power and authority come from, and ultimately reside in, Him alone. We are to be grateful when He uses us, or anyone else, for good, but we aren’t to rely on the person, but rather on God. Like­wise when someone like Putin makes a fuss, we are never to think he is more powerful than God, but rather lift up every situation in prayer. As is proclaimed so gloriously in heaven, “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” (Revelation 7:10)

I can’t quote that verse without the modern musical setting for it running through my mind, but that’s not a bad thing. More than music, however, I need to keep the reality in focus. Most importantly, I need to remember that salvation doesn’t belong to me, except that God has provided it for me. It’s not something I can impart to anyone else, except by sharing the Gospel with them so that they too may repent and believe. And however much God might use me in specific situations, any good derived ultimately doesn’t come from me, but from God. Right now I’m confronted with a dying hard drive in my wife’s computer, with the potential of major data loss. I’m the computer tech on scene, and I feel enormous pressure. However, if I depend on myself, there’s no saving of the data or of my pride. If I depend on God, He may well use me to rescue both the data and my wife’s peace of mind. That of course is trivial compared to the eternal salvation of souls, and for that matter the salvation of nations, as is currently in the balance. I am to keep things in perspective and remember to trust only in my God. He’s certainly trustworthy!

Father, thank You for this reminder. Help me indeed rest, relax, and rejoice in You, whatever happens or doesn’t happen, today and in the days to come, for Your glory alone. Thank You. Praise God!