“It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.” (Psalm 118:9)
Because men think more highly of themselves than they should, they overpromise. They believe that they must be supremely self-confident if others are to follow them. Sooner or later, they leave those who trusted in them disappointed. Without the power to bring to pass their will they are left looking silly. Their legacy is one of failed predictions and empty promises. And yet, in every generation, men still trust in men. They exalt flesh and blood, placing their hopes in one after another, expecting things will be different this time around.
Why are people so eager to trust in flesh? Simply because they are not trusting in God. Only those who are truly depending on the arm of God look away from the arm of man. They believe He has the power to do what flesh cannot do. This was the continuous temptation of the children of Israel when they faced trouble. Would they turn to their God or would they turn to some earthly power to rescue them?
We face the same choice today. To the degree we trust in politicians, the words “In God We Trust” are nothing but empty words.