Princes And Faith: A False Dichotomy

The Bible's Book of Psalms includes the line Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save. This is elaborated in the New International Version, which states that when their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing. This passage is a warning against placing too much faith in human leaders, who are fallible and cannot save us.

Princes are mortal and cannot save

The Bible, in Psalm 146:3-4, cautions against putting trust in princes or mortal men, who "cannot save". This is because they are fallible and mortal, and their plans and influence will inevitably come to an end.

The psalmist warns against two equally dangerous attitudes towards government and leaders: putting too much faith in them, and treating them with fear. While governments can provide security and comfort, they are ultimately run by imperfect people, and power can corrupt. History is littered with examples of governments that have abandoned their responsibilities and caused harm.

The Bible encourages people to remember that any blessings or comforts provided by governments or leaders are temporary and that true salvation comes from God. Christians are called to follow the example of Jesus, who persevered through unjust treatment by governments and leaders by entrusting himself to God, who judges justly.

In conclusion, while princes and mortal men may offer temporary stability, they cannot provide eternal salvation, and thus, it is wise not to put ultimate trust in them.

God is the only source of salvation

The Bible, in Psalm 146:3-7, cautions against putting trust in princes, noblemen, or any mortal man as they "cannot save" and are incapable of providing salvation. This warning is further emphasized by the psalmist's observation that when a person's spirit departs, their plans and thoughts perish with them. Instead, the psalmist exhorts us to place our trust and hope in the Lord, the God of Jacob, who is the Maker of heaven and earth and remains faithful forever.

This theme of trusting in God alone for salvation is echoed in other parts of the Bible as well. For instance, in Psalm 118:8-9, we are advised that it is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans or princes. Similarly, Jeremiah 17:5 states a warning from the Lord: "Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind, who makes the flesh his strength and turns his heart from the Lord."

The New Testament also reinforces this idea. In Romans 13:1, the apostle Paul acknowledges that all authority comes from God, but he also reminds us in Romans 13:4-5 that our ultimate allegiance is to God, who will judge justly. Furthermore, 1 Peter 2:21-23 encourages us to follow the example of Jesus, who entrusted himself to God amidst suffering and unjust treatment by earthly authorities.

In summary, the Bible consistently emphasizes that God is the only source of salvation. While governments and leaders may be instituted by God and can provide temporary blessings, they are fallible and cannot offer eternal salvation. Our trust should be firmly rooted in God alone, who is faithful and just.

Do not idolise men

The Bible, in Psalm 146:3, states: "Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save". This is a powerful reminder that we should not place our faith or idolise mortal leaders or governments. While governments are not inherently bad and can provide security and comfort, they are ultimately run by fallible and sinful people. The power and authority of government can be corrupting, and throughout history, there have been many examples of governments that have abandoned their responsibilities to uphold righteousness and instead engaged in self-seeking corruption, causing more harm than good to their people.

The psalmist warns against two equally dangerous attitudes towards government and its leaders. The first is putting our faith in strong leaders to provide us with comfort and stability. While it is understandable to seek security and improved lives, we must not take God out of the equation and believe that leaders alone prosper a nation. Solomon's warning in Psalm 127:1 highlights this: "Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labour in vain". Leaders, no matter how capable, are mortal, and their plans and influence will inevitably end. True salvation cannot come from them. We must recognise the limitations of our leaders and understand that without God, their plans will amount to nothing.

The second dangerous attitude is treating government leaders with fear. While poor leadership and corrupt governments can lead to a dissolution of comfort and security, Christians must understand that such blessings are temporary. Our trust should not be built on earthly comforts but on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We are called to follow Christ's example, who, despite suffering abuse and mistreatment by the governments of his time, persevered by entrusting himself to God, who judges justly.

As Christians, we know that God is more powerful than any man or system devised by man. We know that the kingdom of God has been established and will never be moved. We have been saved by Him, not just from the wickedness of others but also from our own wickedness and from death. Therefore, we should neither place excessive hope nor fear in governments but instead entrust ourselves wholly to God, who has command over our bodies and souls.

God's will can be fulfilled without human interference

The Bible says, "Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save." This is because princes and other powerful people are mortal, and when their spirit departs, their plans come to nothing. Instead, the Bible encourages people to put their trust in God, who is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them. Unlike human leaders, God remains faithful forever, and he upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry.

The idea that God does not intervene in the affairs of human beings is a common notion. Some believe that God has a plan for the world and its inhabitants, but He keeps His own counsel. He intervenes when it suits His purposes, and our job is to trust Him and rest in the confidence that He works all things together for good.

However, the question of why God allows terrible things to happen remains. One possible explanation is that God wants a genuine relationship with His creatures, and the only way to achieve this is by giving them true and genuine freedom. If God intervened every time someone misused their freedom, it would no longer be freedom.

Another perspective is that God does intervene, but not in the ways we expect or want. He gives freedom to His creatures and lets them live within the limits of their freedom, only rarely intervening or interfering. When He does interfere, it is in ways we usually cannot see, or in response to our requests.

Ultimately, the mystery of why God does or does not intervene in certain situations may never be fully understood by human beings. What we do know is that God is love, and His power is the power of empathy, mercy, and connection.

Love your neighbour and be a good citizen

The Bible verse "Do not put your trust in princes" (Psalm 146:3) is a reminder that human leaders are fallible and mortal, and that true salvation and security come from God alone. This idea is further elaborated on in the surrounding verses of Psalm 146, which emphasise that God is the only source of lasting help and hope.

Loving your neighbour and being a good citizen can be informed by this biblical teaching. Here are some ways to do so:

• Recognise the Limitations of Human Leaders: While governments and leaders play an important role in society, they are not infallible. They can make mistakes, be corrupted, and their influence is temporary. Understanding this limitation is crucial to avoiding the danger of putting too much trust in any one leader or government.
• Prioritise God Over Man: As the Bible says, "It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man" (Psalm 118:8). Ultimately, it is God who is in control and who can bring true salvation. This doesn't mean disregarding or fearing human authorities, but rather, keeping in mind that they are subject to God's authority and judgement.
• Love Your Neighbour by Trusting in God: Putting your faith in God rather than human leaders can help you maintain a stable and hopeful perspective, even during uncertain times. This trust in God's provision and sovereignty can then extend to how you treat others. You can love your neighbour by being a source of support and encouragement, pointing them towards God's salvation rather than the fleeting promises of human leaders.
• Be a Good Citizen by Upholding Righteousness: Governments are meant to uphold righteousness and punish wickedness, as God intends for them to be a force for good (Romans 13:1-5). As a citizen, you can engage in civic duties, hold leaders accountable, and advocate for policies that align with biblical values of justice, mercy, and compassion.
• Remember the Example of Christ: Jesus himself endured suffering and mistreatment by earthly leaders. Yet, he persevered by entrusting himself to God, who judges justly (1 Peter 2:21-23). Following Christ's example, we can navigate life under imperfect governments by fixing our hope on God's kingdom and his ultimate judgement.
• Pray for Faith and Wisdom: As Christians, we recognise that our trust is built on the resurrection of Jesus Christ, not on temporary comforts or human leaders. Pray for the faith to withstand challenges and the wisdom to navigate civic responsibilities with discernment and love for your neighbour.

In conclusion, the biblical instruction to "not put your trust in princes" is a reminder that our ultimate hope and salvation are found in God alone. Loving your neighbour and being a good citizen involves recognising the limitations of human leaders, prioritising God's kingdom, and extending his love and justice to those around you.

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