In the western world, and particularly in America, it’s easy for us to fall prey to placing our hope in the wrong things. Compared to the rest of the world, things are pretty good here. (and thank God for it). But Psalm 146, which begins in praise, quickly turns to a lesson in trust.
 
The Psalmist isn’t being cynical, he’s being clear. He says “Do not trust in nobles, in a son of man, who cannot save.” Even powerful and influential human beings are limited. Their plans die with them and any authority they enjoy is only temporary. Their promises and power can’t begin to bear the weight of our hope.
 
Placing our ultimate hope in visible power, the right leader, the right system, the right platform, personality, or strategy, we become anxious, reactive, and, frankly, easily manipulated. Human authority and power has a proper place, but it’s a terrible savior.
 
Psalm 146 redirects our trust and hope to the Lord, “Maker of heaven and earth.” His reign isn’t fragile like ours. There’s no election pending to exalt Him to or remove Him from the Power God has given Him. He won’t age out, burn out, or ever fail to keep His promises.
 
What’s more, the Psalm goes beyond telling us God reigns, it tells us what that reign is like. He executes justice for the exploited, gives food to the hungry, frees prisoners, opens blind eyes, raises up the oppressed and protects resident aliens. His eye looks to the fatherless and the widows while frustrating the ways of the wicked.
 
If our heart is to be formed to be like His, if we say we trust in His reign, we must also learn to love what He loves. We can’t speak of HIs rule while ignoring the wounded. He shapes us into a people of community, mercy, and justice.
 
This passage confronts both our misplaced trust and our numbness to the plight of others.
His Kingdom isn’t a human one sprinkled with religious vocabulary. It is high above all and simultaneously near the lowly. His throne is eternal, but His attention is merciful and kind.
The call isn’t to treat human rulers as unimportant, but we shouldn’t treat them as ultimate either. We can, and should, engage the world without surrendering our hope to it. The Lord reigns forever. That truth does more than affirm or inform our theology. It calms our fears, reorders our trust, and softens our hearts.

Where are you most tempted to place too much hope in human power, leadership, or control? How does Psalm 146 challenge the way you think about the people God sees, defends, and lifts up?

Father, sometimes I put too much hope in people, systems, and strategies. Help re-anchor my heart in Your eternal reign. Mold my heart to be moved by what moves yours. Help me to see the hungry, the oppressed, the outsider, the fatherless, and the widow and move me to compassion. Amen.

“Today I can submit to God’s reign as I care for those around me by  __________________.”