Today’s devotion is based on Week 3 of “Resolve”: Trust the right person!! (WATCH HERE)
Today at noon is a very unique event in the history of our nation: The inauguration of the President. Whether you voted for him or not, our constitution defines his chief role with the oath he takes as he assumes office: Article 2, Section 8 states:
Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:– I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.
Perhaps in some ways this seems like a pretty simple oath to take, yet perhaps more than any other office, the President is to work for one sole purpose: to ensure the United States as constituted survives.
Before this moment and after the next president is sworn in four years later, the current president has no presidential powers. Only when he holds that office as duly elected and sworn in does he have the ability and responsibility to carry out this role and this oath.
Perhaps when we realize what is not in this oath, our expectations for our President might diminish. We perhaps wish that for everyone that voted for him, would receive a certain amount of money, or a guarantee of no illness, or a good paying job, or a college degree, or whatever your wishlist may be. But it’s not his role to guarantee all these specifics to individuals, but rather preserve a country where people have opportunity to enjoy life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
We pray God will guide and direct the affairs of our country and the next administration.
So why do I bring this up?
The inauguration is today, but let’s keep it all in perspective and not make our president into someone he is not.
He is not God. We trust he will carry out the oath of his office to the best of his ability, but he is not to be trusted to guide, direct and care for our lives. Jesus is.
Who we trust is important. Finally our trust is to be rooted in the one who is completely trustworthy.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Psalm 146:3-5 Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save.
4 When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing. 5 Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God.
Pray for our new president.
1 Timothy 2:1-2 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
Put your trust in the Lord for all things of body and soul.
Psalm 37 3-6 Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this:
6 He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.
Who we trust is important…trust in the Lord, pray for our president and all our leaders!
Apply: Is there a trust that is in some person that should be in the Lord? Ask the Lord to turn your heart to trust him above all others!
Prayer: Lord thank you for our country. Be with and guide our incoming president so that the people of this land might be blessed and your Gospel may see effect across our land to the glory of your name AMEN