Do not put your trust in princes, in mortals, in whom there is no help. (Psalm 2:3)

              If you have ever been to Gettysburg, you probably stood atop Cemetery Ridge and looked out over the field that was the scene of Pickett’s Charge. There, on the afternoon of July 3, 1863, 12,500 Confederate soldiers marched out of the trees and across this mile wide field of open ground in a last-ditch effort to break the Union stronghold.

              By the time the fighting that day ended, more than half of them, over 6,500 men, lay dead or wounded. Afterward, General Robert E. Lee, Confederate commander, regretted ordering the attack and history has called it a foolish disaster.

              Whenever I read this verse from Psalm 2, “do not put your trust in princes,” my mind goes to war. Why do nations go to war? Why do we trust our leaders, our “princes”, that somehow killing “them” is in our best interest? From Ukraine to Gaza to dozens of other places around the world, why do we trust these princes?

              The princes say, “Peace through strength.” God says peace through mercy.

              The princes say, “Mutually assured destruction.” God says let there be light.

              The princes say, “Guns will make you safer.” God says love your neighbor as yourself.

              Sure, it’s easier to put your trust in worldly power and weapons. Showing mercy, love, and forgiveness can be risky . But the Psalm goes on to tells us, “Happy are those…whose hope is in the LORD their God.” Perhaps, for a change, we should trust God and give peace a chance.