Trust and politics and the boring debate

"6 Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed;
he answers him from his holy heaven
with the saving power of his right hand.

7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

8 They are brought to their knees and fall,
but we rise up and stand firm.

9 O LORD, save the king!
Answer [a] us when we call!"

Psalm 20 came to mind for me after watching the debate last night. Fist of all, I thought it was boring and neither said anything new or enlightening or really impressed me much one way or the other. One of the long-standing conservative criticisms of liberals has been that liberals are constantly looking to the government to solve people's problems. I'm trying not to get to political here and I think those of you who know me know I'm conservative, but not a dyed in the wool Republican, but I agree with that criticism. Lately, however, I've noticed the same attitude being espoused by supposed conservatives and even more disturbingly, from the "Religous Right".  I am certainly a Christina, but I've never quite identified with that term. It seems like the extremes in both parties are looking to the government to solve our problems. Both think "If our guy just gets into office, then things will really get where we need them. Then we can really get government working the way it should." 

I guess what I find more disheartening about the RR taking on this attitude is that as Believers, our trust is not, or should not be in "horses and chariots", in our elected leaders, or even (gasp) in the United States of America. Our trust first and foremost is in God and all that He can accomplish. His provision. His control. That's not to say we shouldn't care who is elected or be involved in politics or anything like that. I enjoy politics and I vote and I care about this election, but it's not my religion and if "my guy" loses, God is in control. Both parties have lost sight of the fact that God can redeem anything (as I talked about here) and we are called to put our trust not in men, but in Him.

My study Bible had a great, very applicable note on the above verses and I'm going to quote them here: "As long as there have been armies and weapons, nations have boasted of their power, but such power does not last. Throughout history empires and kingdoms have risen to great power only to vanish in the dust. David, however, knew that the true might of the nation was not in weaponry, but in worship, not in firepower, but in God's power. Because God alone can preserve a nation or an individual, be sure you are confidence is in God who gives eternal victory." Life Application Bible p.921 (Notes for Psalm 20).