For Bettors, For Best

We've been so busy with local poker topics that we haven't mentioned the World Series of Poker Main Event.  The field is down to a final nine -- but this year it will be an October Nine.  The final table drama has been moved up, to avoid a conflict with the U.S. Presidential election.

How curious, considering President Obama made a couple of campaign stops this month with signs saying he's "Betting on America."  How many customers of online poker sites laughed out loud when they saw that -- considering the U.S. Justice Department shut down several sites on "Black Friday" 2011?!

We were not the only ones who were curious about this.  One public radio program called in a language expert, who said the President is trying to show he has confidence in U.S. workers to succeed.

This led us to ponder -- isn't a vote for a Presidential candidate (or for any other political office) a "bet" of sorts?  Voters hope candidate A will do better than candidate B, when it comes to any number of issues.  If he or she does, you might stick with that strategy when the next "bet" comes in two or four years.  If he or she doesn't, you might move the chips around or try a different approach.

We're not endorsing any candidates for office here.  Not any human candidate, that is.  Instead, we recommend a sure bet offered by the Bible....

Lift up your eyes to the heavens, look at the earth beneath; the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment and its inhabitants like flies.  But my salvation will last forever, my righteousness will never fail. - Isaiah 51:6

This verse has both scary words and comforting words.  The things around us are going to disappear?!  Yes - and it's not simply an Old Testament warning:

The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. - I John 2:17

Doing God's will leads to salvation -- and eternal life in what Revelation 21 calls a "new heaven and new earth."  And the Bible further claims....

The Lord is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made. - Psalm 145:13b

Campaign promises made by humans tend to fall short.  God says His promises won't.  Which candidate would you rather trust?


P.S.  Considering eight of the nine Main Event players are U.S. residents, do you think any will wear campaign buttons to the final table?