Truman, Titus and Trump

I recently read that when President Truman was in Mexico once, he went to see the fiery, active volcano Paricutín.  His Mexican counterpart (Alemán) asked him what he thought of it.  Truman answered, "It's quite a volcano, but it's nothing compared to the one I'm sitting on in Washington!"
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Truman's analogy fits in today, doesn't it?  Over half of the Americans are still shocked at the election results.  Some are out protesting.  Others are blowing off steam in their homes and with their friends, and on the internet.  How can a man of such questionable morals and ethics become our head of state?  Others might ask, what is more important, the guy's personal morality or his policies for the country?  (Not that Trump explained any of his in enough detail.)

There are arguments on both sides...I guess.  My daughter Debbie was talking with her girls about the candidates, explaining (in a way appropriate for a 7-year-old and an 8-year-old) first about their negative points.  Then Liliana asked, "And what are the good things about Trump?"  Uh....that was a hard one to answer!  (I told her that if she thinks of anything, please let me know!)
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But you know, in the face of upheaval and our misgivings about the future of America, I've found that our best balance comes from turning to the One who can "trump Trump"!  Are we asking this question: "But now, Lord, what do I look for?  My hope is in You."  (Psalm 39:7) Listen to what He tells us through the psalmist:

"It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man...than to trust in princes."  (Psalm 118:8-9)

"Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his rest, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods."  (Psalm 40:4)

"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God." (Psalm 20:7)

"In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid.  What can mortal man do to me?"  (Psalm 56:4)

"My soul finds rest in God alone, my salvation comes from Him.  He alone is my rock...my fortress, I will never be shaken.  Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;  my hope comes from Him."  (Psalm 62:1,2,5)
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So let's not forget Who our ultimate HOPE is, the One in Whom we must ultimately put all our trust...especially when we don't know yet if we can trust the one who will be our president.  When asked what he thought about accepting Trump's election, one person said, "We have no choice." That's true. But we DO have a choice as to how we act and speak and live after this blow.  Heaping more fuel of our own (insults, verbal explosions, threats, etc.)  just pulls us down to the same level as Trump and his followers. What can we do and say to calm...to encourage...to remind others where our Hope lies:  with the One who can, as I said before, "trump Trump"?  Let's let Him work, and trust Him.  He knows all about it.
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Were you wondering about "Titus"?  He received a letter from St. Paul that's in the Bible, and in which he is counselled, "Remind people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility to all men."  (Titus 3:1-2)

                              As difficult as it might be, it's the best thing we can do!