I’m sure I’ll take some flak for this post. And that’s okay; I have to share anyway. Now before you go all “conspiracy theory” on me, may I remind you of THIS post? I’m not talking smack about President Obama. This article could be about any president, past or future.
I could’ve even named this post “Don’t Trust Your Mama.” Let me explain.
Today I was reading this passage in Jeremiah:
This is what the Lord says: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord.
6 That person will be like a bush in the wastelands; they will not see prosperity when it comes. They will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives.
7 “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.
8 They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:5-8 NIV
People are worried about the future of this country. They are concerned with the way things are going in the White House. They worry about gas prices, unemployment, “entitlement” issues of the up and coming generation. Honestly, they are also worried about zombies and Armageddon. Don’t believe me? Watch an episode of National Geographic’s “Doomsday Preppers” or even better, start a conversation about it on Facebook. You might be surprised how many of your friends are “prepping.”
Now, before you go slamming me, I’m not advocating sticking your head in the sand. I believe it’s your civic duty to keep abreast of such issues. But there is a fine line between keeping up with them and becoming consumed with them. Very fine.
Go back to the passage in Jeremiah and read the first verse. Jeremiah tells us that whoever trusts in man and draws strength from him is cursed. I don’t think God is cursing those people (just my opinion and I’m not a theologian); I believe they curse themselves. Imagine two apples – one good, one rotten. God doesn’t make you choose the rotten apple. He let you choose, and when you chose the rotten one, you cursed yourself.
This is not a dark back alley. Don’t picture me whispering in your ear, “Trust no one.”
This post isn’t a political thriller. It’s biblical truth.
Humans are just that – human. We are flawed, imperfect individuals. Jeremiah warns not to hinge everything on a person. Don’t expect the next or current president to be the savior of this nation. Don’t expect salvation from your parents, your spouse or even your pastor. Salvation comes from God alone. Period.
The reason we are struggling as a nation is “we” are putting our faith in people. Humans. And because of that, America is thirsty. We are parched as a country and are looking for more. Some search in bottles, in drugs, in brothels, on computer chat rooms and even in work itself. There is another movement of people who are searching for meaning in doing good works.
Part of me wants to applaud and say, “Great job! Way to go!” I’m glad there’s a movement in Hollywood to get involved in saving the world. But hear me, friends. Good works will not provide salvation. Good works are just that. They are good. But those looking for fulfillment in them will, in the end, will still “be like a bush in the wastelands; they will not see prosperity when it comes. They will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives.”
Salvation comes from grace. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) If you want to know how to plug into an eternal source of water, of Living Water, look for God. You’ll find Him in His Word. Place your confidence in Him alone, and you will be blessed.
The last part of that passage says, “It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” It could say, “it does not fear when Armageddon and zombies come.” When you put your faith in God, fear for the future of our nation, of our world, doesn’t consume you.
If you are worried about the future of America, and I hope you are, then it’s time for a shift of focus. Don’t put your trust in the president. Don’t put it in the 30 pounds of sugar and the generator you’ve stored in the basement for the end of the world. Put it in God. Seek Him alone. Let Him change you in such a way that your life has an effect on all those around you.
The change in America starts with you. The question is: whom do you trust?
