“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.” – Ezekiel 36:26-27

In the United States of America, we have the incredible privilege of having a voice in the laws and direction of our great country. However, as Christians, this privilege is always in danger of turning into idolatry. I must admit, this election year I have been incredibly saddened by my Christian brothers and sisters on both sides of the political spectrum. Some have the notion that our incoming president is the answer to all that is wrong with America. And yet others believe the sky is falling and the world is ending because of this new administration. Once we allow our peace and hope to rest on a man or a government, for better or for worse, we have committed idolatry. I want to share with you today that our hope never has rested, nor will it ever rest in a government or a leader. “No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save. But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love” (Psalm 33:16-18). True change will never come from laws or executive orders. True change happens first in the depths of men’s hearts, and then flows out from there into the world around them. The most powerful tool we have for changing men’s hearts is not the ballot box, but the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Let us never forget this truth as we live and lead in this land.

Father, please forgive us for the sin of idolatry. Let us always remember that Your Gospel is the only hope for mankind and let us make this the theme of each and every day that we are privileged to walk this earth.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Shane Cannon <><