God's promises vs politician's promises

Prince Albert of England once visited the laboratory of a scientist named Lyon Playfair. According to Playfair’s Biographer Sir Wemyss Reid, as the Prince and the scientist stood near a cauldron of boiling lead, Playfair asked, “Has Your Royal Highness any faith in Science?”

“Certainly,” answered Prince Albert. Playfair watched the Prince’s hand in a special solution and then told him to use his hand to ladle out some of the hot metal. The Prince plunged his hand into the cauldron and scooped up some in his palm-and he wasn’t injured.

If Prince Albert could place that kind of faith in a respected scientist, how much more so may we trust God’s promise to us! In this week’s Torah portion, Lekh Lekha, God promises Abraham and his descendants (us!) By saying, “Look toward heaven and count the stars, If you’re able to count them. He added, “So shall your offspring be.” And because he (Abraham) put his trust in the Lord, He reckoned it to his merit.” (Gen. 15:5-6)

Abraham sets an example we would be wise to follow. He didn’t waver at the God’s promises even though he was tested 10 times. (Pirke Avot 5:4) It’s not always wise to trust in the assurances made by human beings. Midterm elections are only two weeks away. Vote wisely because promises made by politicians are conveniently forgotten after the election. As Jonathan Swift popularized the expression in his 1783 book Polite Conversation where a character says, “I beg your pardon, My Lords, promises and pie-crust are made to be broken. But when we are afraid we surely we can put our confidence In the Lord as The Psalmist Sings: “Israel, Trust In The Lord-He Is Their Help And Shield.” (Ps. 115:9)