Lessons From the Massachusetts Senate Election

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Lessons From the Massachusetts Senate Election

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The recent Republican victory by Scott Brown in the Massachusetts election to fill the U.S. Senate seat formerly occupied by the late Edward ("Ted") Kennedy came as a wake-up call to the Democratic Party. Because Massachusetts has not had a Republican senator since 1972 and since Senator Kennedy had been a leading political figure in the Democratic Party, the upset caught many by surprise.

More specifically, the Massachusetts election results are seen as a reflection of voter dissatisfaction with the Democratic Party, which had enjoyed massive gains in the 2008 elections, and a virtual slap in the face to President Barack Obama. Some political pundits are also predicting that a Republican candidate in Illinois may win the Senate seat formerly occupied by Obama in the November elections, when about a third of the 100-member Senate and the entire 435-member House of Representatives will be up for grabs.

It has been a little over a year since the Democrats' massive gains in the 2008 elections resulted in their first supermajority since 1979 and the victory of Barack Obama, leaving the Republican Party reeling in political devastation. Now it appears the Republicans may be headed for a resurgence.

According to the Rasmussen Reports, Obama's presidential job approval has dropped from 65 percent in January 2009 to 49 percent on Feb. 1, 2010. Another Rasmussen Report titled "Deficit of Trust" reveals that a majority of voters do not believe the president's assertions about tax cuts, economic growth or job creation. Only 19 percent of voters nationwide believe that President Obama achieved most of his goals during his first year in office. This Rasmussen Reports survey concluded that 70 percent say he did not accomplish those goals.

What can we learn from these recent developments beyond the obvious political ramifications?

I have long been amazed at the seemingly never-ending cycle of enthusiastic support and optimism for a new president that dissipates soon after he takes office. A politician's popularity soon turns to dissatisfaction, leading to the anticipation of a future election when the candidate from the opposite party is naively considered to be able to solve the nation's problems. The greater the dissatisfaction with the incumbent, the greater the margin of victory for the candidate from the opposing party.

How many times have we seen this scenario play out? Lyrics of the 1970s folk song "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" come to mind: "When will they ever learn?"

Psalm 146:3 (New English Translation) warns, "Do not trust in princes, or in human beings, who cannot deliver!" This should be readily apparent in the political arena. Politicians make so many lofty promises during their campaigns that they simply cannot deliver after they are elected to office. Yet the euphoria and enthusiasm of political campaigns remain, as blissful followers work themselves into a frenzy of support for their political hero.

Mankind has to learn the bitter lesson that no human being can solve the many problems that plague us—not only in the United States but in countries all around the world. Who then can save us from the many and serious problems that face mankind?

King David of ancient Israel wrote, "It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man" (Psalm 118:8).

God has a plan to deliver mankind from the inevitable consequences of our evil ways. However, Bible prophecies warn that worsening conditions will lead humanity to the brink of annihilation. Jesus warns, "For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again. If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened" (Matthew 24:21-22, New International Version).

The same Jesus Christ who died to save us from the spiritual penalty of our sins will return to earth as King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Revelation 19:16). He will come to save mankind from the devastating consequences of sin and complete the spiritual salvation of His called, chosen and faithful people (Hebrews 9:28; Revelation 17:14). He will rule the earth in righteousness for a thousand years of peace and prosperity, assisted by others who have been commissioned and trained to assist Him (Revelation 5:10; 20:6).

Who are these others? Could you become one of them? Would you like to help solve mankind's problems? If so, be sure to support the only One who can and will offer the solutions to all of man's problems, and learn the details of His "platform" outlined in the pages of your Bible. Find out more from our free booklets What Is Your Destiny? and The Gospel of the Kingdom.