Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“Do not put your trust in princes,
in mortals, in whom there is no help.
When their breath departs, they return to the earth;
on that very day their plans perish.”
NL Daily Devotion for Monday, April 4, 2022
by R. M. Fergus, Clergy Stuff
In yesterday’s text, the chief priests told Pilate, “We have no king but the emperor.” They completely sold out their integrity by conveniently overlooking the Jewish understanding that God was their king (or at least a Jew and preferably of the line of David) out of fear of Jesus’ threat to their power and influence—the lifestyle to which they had become accustomed.
Today, we read in Psalm 146 just one more reason their brash statement of loyalty to Rome was eye-opening at the least. The scripture warns us not to put our trust in earthly authorities, who will ultimately fail us. Only God can be fully relied upon to rule with justice and mercy, to give us what it is we truly need.
Yet so often I find I am still putting my trust in myself or in other people, rather than God. It seems to my mortal mind like it’s a safer bet. And it’s odd, because I have experienced time and again the reality that when I put myself in God’s hands, my needs are met. Let Psalm 146 be a reminder to me today and every day.
When do I find myself relying on other people rather than God? What are the outcomes?
