Do Not Trust in Princes

1 Samuel 8:4-9
"4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah;
5 and they said to him, “Behold, you have grown old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint a king for us to judge us like all the nations.”
6 But the thing was displeasing in the sight of Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” And Samuel prayed to the Lord.
7 The Lord said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people in regard to all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being king over them.
8 Like all the deeds which they have done since the day that I brought them up from Egypt even to this day—in that they have forsaken Me and served other gods—so they are doing to you also.
9 Now then, listen to their voice; however, you shall solemnly warn them and tell them of the procedure of the king who will reign over them.”

Israel just like America wanted a king rather than God. They had rejected God and had placed their trust in a man to lead them.

God told Samuel to warn them that the king would not be good for them but they did not listen, they continued to want a king like all the other nations.

So, when you are rejected for warning the Christians that a ruler over their nation will save it, you are in good company, they did this to Samuel too.

When Christians are more concerned about having the president they want rather than devoting their lives to prayer and obedience to him, you will find much angst among those who have invested their time and energy in preserving the life they have always had.

It is entirely possible that difficulties in this life could be the best for this nation to see how much they need Christ. I never pray for a nation to retain all our wealth and pleasures, I pray that those in rebellion against God will be brought to their knees in repentance.

Psalm 107:33-43
33 He changes rivers into a wilderness
And springs of water into a thirsty ground;
34 A fruitful land into a salt waste,
Because of the wickedness of those who dwell in it.
35 He ]changes a wilderness into a pool of water
And a dry land into springs of water;
36 And there He makes the hungry to dwell,
So that they may establish an inhabited city,
37 And sow fields and plant vineyards,
And gather a fruitful harvest.
38 Also He blesses them and they multiply greatly,
And He does not let their cattle decrease.
39 When they are diminished and bowed down
Through oppression, misery and sorrow,
40 He pours contempt upon princes
And makes them wander in a pathless waste.
41 But He sets the needy securely on high away from affliction,
And makes his families like a flock.
42 The upright see it and are glad;
But all unrighteousness shuts its mouth.
43 Who is wise? Let him give heed to these things,
And consider the loving kindnesses of the Lord."

Psalm 146:3-7
3 Do not trust in princes,
In mortal man, in whom there is no salvation.
4 His spirit departs, he returns to the earth;
In that very day his thoughts perish.
5 How blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
Whose hope is in the Lord his God,
6 Who made heaven and earth,
The sea and all that is in them;
Who keeps faith forever;
7 Who executes justice for the oppressed;
Who gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets the prisoners free."

When we trust in Christ alone we are free even while we are in prison. Our freedom has nothing to do with the physical realm, it is about the Spirit of God Who lives in us. We are free no matter where we are.