As long as there have been people, there have been politics. In the Old Testament, King David’s own son, Absalom politicked against him.

“He would get up early and stand by the side of the road leading to the city gate. Whenever anyone came with a complaint to be placed before the king for a decision, Absalom would call out to him, "What town are you from?" He would answer, "Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel." Then Absalom would say to him, "Look, your claims are valid and proper, but there is no representative of the king to hear you." And Absalom would add, "If only I were appointed judge in the land! Then everyone who has a complaint or case could come to me and I would see that he gets justice." Also, whenever anyone approached him to bow down before him, Absalom would reach out his hand, take hold of him and kiss him. Absalom behaved in this way toward all the Israelites who came to the king asking for justice, and so he stole the hearts of the men of Israel” (2 Samuel 15:2-6).

Politics can be frustrating, especially when we see politicians lying, manipulating, or just plain stealing hearts in order to gain power. In spite of all this, the Bible tells us that human government is important.

“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor” (Romans 13:1-7).

For the Christian then, human government is seen as having been established by God. And so we give our leaders what is due them. Paul even urged us to pray for our political leaders.

“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness” (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

(Paul seems to be saying, pray for them so that they'll leave us alone!) Now we all know that some leaders are good and others are corrupt. Increasingly it seems that our leaders operate in shades of gray. There’s not one that we can agree with 100%. And so we find ourselves supporting the candidate who is “the least bad”.

This is a good reminder that salvation will never be found in political leaders. When all is said and done, we still live in a fallen world ruled by sinful people. Until Jesus returns, it will always be this way. A wise man once observed that even when a new leader takes over for an old foolish one, the new leader eventually becomes as bad as the old one.

“Better a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to take warning. The youth may have come from prison to the kingship, or he may have been born in poverty within his kingdom. I saw that all who lived and walked under the sun followed the youth, the king's successor. There was no end to all the people who were before them. But those who came later were not pleased with the successor. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind” (Ecclesiastes 4:13-16).

If you are seeking salvation from what ails you in politics, than you are chasing wind. Even if you catch it, all you’ll have is a hand-full of air!

If we think that meaning, fulfillment and happiness will come from a political leader or party, we are in for a huge disappointment. Only God can save us from our ultimate problems.

“Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel, or seek help from the LORD. Yet he too is wise and can bring disaster; he does not take back his words. He will rise up against the house of the wicked, against those who help evildoers. But the Egyptians are men and not God; their horses are flesh and not spirit. When the LORD stretches out his hand, he who helps will stumble, he who is helped will fall; both will perish together” (Isaiah 31:1-3).

God can thwart both the helper and the helpee. Rather we are to go to him for help. He is the supreme Helper.

Should we participate in earthly politics? I think the answer is clearly “yes”. That God cares about what human governments do is clearly Scriptural and if God cares, we should care. God uses his people to make the world better. God works his sovereign will through human governments, and sometimes in spite of them. But we must not ever allow politics and human government to become our highest goal. Government, politicians and all human power has its limits. God does not. “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God” (Psalm 20:7). Only Jesus saves.