"Behold, you are trusting now in Egypt, that broken reed of a staff, which will pierce the hand of any man who leans on it. Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust in him." (2 Kings 18:21)
You are buoyed by a tremendous amount of public support, Mr. President. For now. People across the country are happy tonight. Some say they are finally proud to be Americans again. Most, being human, are likely prouder to be feeling in the right than they are about an abstract ideal. Be someone they didn't expect and you may find yourself stabbed in worse places than through the hand. The much-vilified former president probably didn't expect all the shoes, back when his approval ratings were soaring (they were, once).
Don't be tempted to place your trust in people, not exclusively. Not enough to lean your full weight on them. None of us can bear that weight without collapsing under the pressure.
"On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an oration to them. And the people were shouting, 'The voice of a god, and not of a man!' Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last.
"But the word of God increased and multiplied." (Acts 12:21-24)
"It's like the biggest church service I've ever seen," one NPR commentator said about the mood at your inauguration. It's become the subject of late-show humorists, this messiah-ship many are trying to foist upon you.
Watch out; be on the alert. It is a dangerous thing for a human to be venerated. Dangerous both to his worshippers and to himself. Please, please, please, for your own sake...stop and look at yourself once in a while. Look honestly at your failings and remind yourself you are not the god some seem to think you are. And consider that final note, too: a popular ruler died ignominiously despite his way with words, but the Word continued to spread. Quietly. Persistently.
The rise and fall of kings, emperors, and presidents are none of them as important as we think. Be humble. Know your place, delight in it, and flourish there.
"If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it." (Genesis 4:7)
Seek acceptance from God, not man. Man can't grant it and God won't refuse it when you seek him with everything you have in you. You have so many gifts. Use them well.
I'm praying for you, Mr. President. May God use you mightily.
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