If you have ever felt like someone you looked up to or, someone who should have cared for you let you down you are not alone. But, by changing our focus we can be encouraged, we can lift up our eyes and know where our help comes from.
I know what it feels like when someone you trusted does not make good on a promise, or carry out their responsibilities like they should. The truth is that we may sometimes look up to people expecting them to do the right thing because of their position or relationship to us. Maybe they are a boss that we have served faithfully or maybe a family member or friend that we thought we could trust to help us. But no, we will sometimes encounter times that people let us down, right at the point we need them, even those who hold high positions in life. Even the best of human beings can fail sometimes.
“Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save.” Psalms 146:3 NIVUK
Leaders are not exempt from falling short some times too. Just as Charles Spurgeon rightly expressed: “Princes are only men, and men with greater needs than others; why, then, should we look to them for aid? They are in greater danger, are burdened with greater cares, and are more likely to be misled than other men; therefore, it is folly to select them for our confidence… Men’s ambitions, expectations, declarations, and boastings all vanish into thin air when the breath of life vanishes from their bodies”.
Leaning on the wrong things can cause pain
Those who call on God for help receive an answer, those who rely on the men and women of this world are sure to be disappointed at some point or another. I am sure that we have all experienced situations where human leadership has let us down. The powerful of this world are sometimes corrupt, sometimes swayed and led by concern for themselves rather than others. Maybe you too have tried to obtain justice from a leader but have been sorely disappointed. I am sure that we can all think of examples where Instead of obtaining the help we needed we ended up only in more pain.
“Look, I know you are depending on Egypt, that splintered reed of a staff, which pierces the hand of anyone who leans on it! Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who depend on him.” 2 Kings 18:21
So also we too, when we lean on people instead of leaning on God are likely to end up being hurt. Ultimately, we cannot put all of our confidence in any to be perfect but our true cornerstone Jesus Christ. After all there was only one who lived the perfect life. Only Jesus is the firm and everlasting foundation, He is the anchor for our souls in the storms of life. Time and time again we experience this, He is able to comfort us through the ups and downs of life like no human being can.
Justice comes from God alone
Is anyone just like God is just, is anyone pure like He is pure? The truth is that God alone is just. Most of us try our best as human beings but we should ask how many of today’s leaders submit to Gods law written in the Bible? If they create their own laws, why then we should expect justice from those who do not follow God’s prescription?
It is true that not all leaders are equal, but what is truer still is that God alone gives justice.
“Many seek the ruler’s favour, but justice for man comes from the Lord “Isaiah 1:27
It may be that we are looking for justice from those whose main motivation is to grow in power or hold on to their own reputation will only choose to act in ways that result in their own favourable ends. Unfortunately, we operate in a world where many men and women grow strong by exploiting others (Psalm 52:7).
However, it is a comfort to know that our God is nothing like many of the men and women of this world.
“He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free, the Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous.” Psalms 146:7-8 NIVUK
God will uphold your cause
We know that the character of our God is holy, just and altogether lovely. Here is the promise of God’s help in all of life’s situations, when those who should, will not uphold your cause, God will.
God although having ultimate power, is not proud, He considers the lowly, He is gentle and lowly in heart. Nothing like many leaders in this world. He saves the depressed and set them free, He transforms our perspective on life situations. He lifts us up and He knows just how to comfort us when we are down.
His words are the words of life and when he breathes upon those areas of pain and disappointment we live again. God takes the side of those who society discards, those who have no means to repay. It is a comfort to know that God has not forsaken us, but He still acts today on behalf of all who call upon Him.
Subject to Authorities but hoping in God
We are to be subject to governing authorities (Romans 13:1-5) and to pray for them (1 Timothy 2:1-2) but always our eyes are to be fixed upon God as the source of our help. He will never let us down.
It is so easy to look to others for promotion, recognition or honour. But we need to believe God’s word and know that He is enough for us. Yes, we should do our best in whatever position we find ourselves, but our promotion comes from the Lord.
We need to be careful to not make an idol of human leaders, exalting them above God by relying on them instead of Him.
Whenever we walk after other gods, after idols, this the Lord says, is to our own hurt! (Jeremiah 7:6.)
God warns us of relying upon people rather than Him because He loves us. God desires that we would be led by his voice, and that we would walk in His ways so that it may be well with us (Jeremiah 7:23).
God’s paths are life and peace
We do not have to walk through this life alone, but we can walk with God looking to serve Him and to be rewarded by Him alone. Walking with God leads us along paths of life and peace and not disappointment.
Look to God for reward, serve Him in whatever opportunity God brings your way. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. Hebrews 11:6
This is a place of peace of safety and of rest. A treasured place that we should all strive to enter. Men and Women may well let us down, we may let even ourselves down, but we can be sure that God will never let us down.
Prayer
Father I thank you that you love me like no other. That your will is to do me good and not harm all the days of my life even if sometimes the journey is narrow and sometimes the path is hard. Thank you that ultimately your righteous paths lead me into wide open spaces of peace and joy.
You are a God who loves justice and I thank you that you see and know all things. Thank you for sending Jesus who lived the perfect life and trod the path of reliance upon you for justice, he paved a path that I can follow. Thank you for sending your Holy Spirit who guides me into all truth. Help me to fix my eyes on you and to trust you to open your hand and meet my need at the right time. I fix my eyes on you, God my great help.