Having just survived another election cycle in the U.S. we now wait during that awkward time between regimes. Some are hopeful, even exuberant, and others are bordering on despair. So it goes with every election. History is cold and hard. Kings and kingdoms rise and fall like the changing seasons.

In all of this, where do we find hope and security? Do we enthusiastically embrace each new regime as our new hope? Or cynically say there is no hope because the world is such a terrible place? Do we put our hope in our opinions about people? Or do our opinions about people crush all hope?

Whatever we decide to do, we can be sure that we are not the first to arrive at this dilemma. Putting our faith in human strength and leadership alone is an ancient temptation. We see it expressed thousands of years ago in this ancient song, Psalm 33:

Let all the earth fear the Lord;

This passage makes it clear that this is God’s world, and he is the true ruler and really — the only ruler. While kingdoms rise and fall, the plans of God stand forever. Those whose God is the Lord are blessed. But the last line in this passage deserves a bit of thought. “the people whom he has chosen as his heritage.” When we read this in its historical context, it is obviously a reference to the nation of Israel. But the New Testament defines the people of God a bit differently. The Gospel has expanded the concept of the people of God beyond simple ethnicity. The people of God are now defined by faith. All believers are members of that chosen people of God now.

Paul makes this clear in Ephesians 2 and also with his illustration of the olive tree in Romans 11. The olive tree has wild and natural branches, but there is only one tree. And Peter makes this very clear by saying: “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” By declaring this old covenant blessing over the church, he forever changes our concept of what it means to be the people of God and His priests.

So we are all a part of this chosen nation, this royal priesthood, by faith. This is the reality that gives us hope. Peter is not talking about a future status that we may one day achieve. He was speaking in the past tense. This is already what we are in Christ. Our future hope is now focused on the return of our king and all the nations being gathered into his new and eternal kingdom. Our hope is not in the current regime, whether good or bad, strong or weak; our hope is in God and his Son and our king, Jesus.

The king is not saved by his great army;

This Week

Let’s encourage each other as we progress through these uncertain times that our king is king forever, and His council and judgments stand forever.

Have a great week!