I still remember standing in line at my elementary school, waiting to receive my polio shot. We may remember a classmate or two who contacted it. However, today, we hear very little about Polio.

Notwithstanding, that was not the case in America at the turn of the century. Polio changed American life! It was not until 1955, when Jonas Salk developed a Polio vaccine, that Polio no longer terrified American families.

In 1916, a wave of Polio swept the east coast of the United States, infecting 27,000. In New York, 19,000 cases were reported, and 2,500 people died from Polio. Parents shipped their children out of New York City to avoid the plague of Polio.

In 1921, an attractive young man named Franklin, age 39, got out of bed, struggled to reach the bathroom, and collapsed. After a day of swimming, Franklin felt sick, his legs ached, and he developed a 102-degree fever. 1

Frankling had contracted Polio, and for the rest of his life, he would be bound with leg braces. Franklin D. Roosevelt went on to serve as the President of the United States in 1933. He guided America through the Depression and WWII.

While it was customary for U.S. Presidents to serve only two terms, Roosevelt ran for office four times, and Americans elected him to four consecutive terms as President. He was America’s President from 1933 to 1945! He died of a stroke in April 1945, eleven weeks into his fourth term and approximately four months before the war ended.

After his presidency, the 22nd Amendment was introduced in 1947 to allow only two presidential terms. While Franklin Roosevelt was greatly admired, America understood the possible dangers.

Americans understood that “Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Because men cannot handle power, position, prominence, and popularity, the 22nd Amendment to the United States Constitution was passed in 1951.  No president could serve more than eight years!  Two four-year terms were established to limit presidential power.

America’s founders understood that a constitutional democracy can repair its mistakes through a system of checks and balances and by withstanding the accumulation of power. The Constitution establishes term limits on officeholders because position and power intoxicate people. 2

There are no righteous political parties, governments, or political leaders. All men are sinners and face the temptation to use and abuse their power and position selfishly. The Scriptures remind readers that “even the best of men are men at best.”  Some of the most outstanding leaders, like Saul, Samson, Solomon, and David, abused their power and position.   

As Christians, we look forward to the day when self-interest, injustice, the abuse of power, and all forms of oppression will be eradicated. As Martin Luther King stated, one day, “justice will roll down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream.” As believers, “we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness” (II Peter 3:13).

On that day, the only and truly righteous Lord will rule eternally. The King of kings will not be elected, and there will be no proposed amendments to limit His righteous rule. On that day, all will rejoice that the Lord is King!

  

Rejoice, the Lord Is King

1 Rejoice, the Lord is King:

Your Lord and King adore!

Rejoice, give thanks and sing,

And triumph evermore.

Refrain

Lift up your heart,

Lift up your voice!

Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

2 Jesus, the Savior, reigns,

The God of truth and love;

When He has purged our stains,

He took his seat above;

3 His kingdom cannot fail,

He rules o’er earth and heav’n;

The keys of death and hell

Are to our Jesus giv’n:

4 Rejoice in glorious hope!

Our Lord and judge shall come

And take His servants up

To their eternal home 3

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1. — https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2021/08/02/fdr-contracted-polio-100-years-ago/

— https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/fdr-wins-unprecedented-fourth-term

— https://www.history.com/news/fdr-four-term-president-22-amendment

2—The two houses of Congress require a majority or a supermajority system for passing legislation because self-serving and sinful inclinations cancel out self-serving and sinful inclinations.

“Ambition must be made to counteract ambition. The interest of the man must be connected with the constitutional rights of the place. It may be a reflection on human nature, that such devices should be necessary to control the abuses of government. But what is government itself, but the greatest of all reflections on human nature? If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary. In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself.” (James Madison – Federalist No. 51)

3- “Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.

Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.

Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.

Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.”

• Psalm 24:7-10