Our world reveres powerful people, be they politicians or business leaders or social media influencers. Powerful people love the limelight, traveling constantly to promote their cause and sell their products. Powerful people exude wealth, health and vibrancy. Given the choice, I’d cosy up to powerful people.

But the Scriptures share a different perspective: Don’t put your confidence in powerful people; there is no help for you there.

Why not?

Three reasons come to mind. First, in my experience, unless you have something to offer, powerful people don’t care much about you. They may say they do, but powerful people run with other powerful people. Those of us a few rungs down aren’t so interesting.

Second, powerful people eventually lose power. Then your investment is lost. When they breathe their last, they return to the earth, and all their plans die with them. The powerful pass on and their authority disburses. How influential are the presidents and leaders of only a few years ago? Faded from the collective conscience, they contribute little to the fervor of today.

Third, only the Lord holds life-changing power. The Lord sets the prisoners free; the Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous…the Lord will reign forever.

I’m a prisoner who needs set free. I’m blind and need to see. I’m bowed down and need help getting up. The Lord cares for you and me without concern for social position or wealth or strength. I can let powerful people do their thing, and instead cosy up to the one who will reign forever.

Psalm 146

Photo by Library of Congress of Grover Cleveland, 22nd & 24th President of the United States, and at one time the most powerful person in America—remember him?