November, being an election month, has brought a big focus on the U.S. Presidency. One question often comes up: Who was the greatest President? Washington and Lincoln are almost always the first answers, and after that it depends on personal preference. Conservatives will name Reagan and sometimes Calvin Coolidge. Liberals will point to JFK, FDR, LBJ, and sometimes Woodrow Wilson. And both sides will selectively pick what they liked about Theodore Roosevelt.
All of this makes me want to read the history books alongside the Bible, to see how God addressed the concept of national/political leadership. One of many places to explore is the 132nd Psalm, which focuses heavily on David – Israel’s popular king from 1010 to 970 B.C. He is often heralded with the same intensity and reverence that any four or five of our favorite Presidents would receive combined. People remembered David fondly because his reign was in the glory days of Israel; it was a strong, united monarchy at that stage of history. This nostalgia plays a part in Psalm 132, which is one of the Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134). It reflects on the discovery of the ark of the covenant (not to be confused with Noah’s ark). It was an old worship artifact that had been long-neglected (132:6-7). We don’t worship with an ark today, and I doubt that any of us will ever be national leaders. But I see several significant teachings that can apply right now…
Yet ultimately we know that the covenant of David was fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Jesus had to go through some awful things as well – leading up to His violent crucifixion. But that was all answered by the resurrection, and today He’s our savior and Lord. He lives forevermore. In Him we have all our hope. Politics may be important, but they’re not as important as Jesus. Governing leaders will always come and go. But Jesus Christ is the Lord of all time. God bless you, Andrew McHenry, Pastor First Congregational Church of Oroville
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Andrew McHenryI am a husband, a Congregational pastor, and a native Kansan currently living in Thermalito, California. In the past I have also been a prison chaplain and a youth pastor. Interests include reading, railroads, prog rock, KU, and the KC Royals. Archives
March 2024
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