How often do we fall into the trap of thinking that our country or community will be a little slice of heaven if we just have the right person or party in power? To the degree one thinks like that, he proves himself a fool. For again and again, Scripture warns believers not to trust in princes. Governments fail. Leaders fall. Nations crumble. Even the wisest and most godly ruler is still human, and thus flawed and fallible. Human rulers are necessary, for the sake of order; but they are bound to disappoint, at least to some degree.

Yet Christians are not undone. Why? Because our hope is not in earthly power, but in the King who conquered death and reigns forever. St. Paul puts it this way: “Our citizenship is in heaven.” That doesn’t mean we withdraw from the world. It means we engage with perspective. We pray for our leaders, vote our conscience, speak the truth. However, we do not place our hope in any ruler other than the one who commands the angels. No matter happens in government, Christians do not panic. We fix our eyes on Jesus. He will return and reign in perfect peace.