Got Pressure And Stress?

As pressure and stress bear down on me, I find joy in your commands. [Psalm 119.143] 

It seems prudent today to consider God's commands. What are they? 

Jesus narrowed God's commands down to two critical things:

One of them, an expert in religious law, tried to trap him with this question: “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?” Jesus replied, “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” [Matthew 22.35-40]

Now, if we don't find joy in these two commandments when pressure and stress bear down on us, then, it would behoove us to explore their source: the Ten Commandments. The Ten Commandments are neatly arranged to help us do just that.

The "love the LORD your God" part of Jesus' two-fold presentation of the Commandments is found in the first three of the Ten Commandments:

“I am the LORD your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery. “You must not have any other god but me. “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands. “You must not misuse the name of the LORD your God. The LORD will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name. [Exodus 20.2-7]

Then, the "Love your neighbor as yourself" part of Jesus' two-fold presentation of the Commandments is found in the last six of the Ten Commandments:

“Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the LORD your God is giving you. “You must not murder. “You must not commit adultery. “You must not steal. “You must not testify falsely against your neighbor. “You must not covet your neighbor’s house. You must not covet your neighbor’s wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbor.” [Exodus 20.12-17]

The astute student of God's Word will recognize that the 4th Commandment is the glue (if you will) between the three Godward commandments and the six manward commandments:

“Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the LORD your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. For in six days the LORD made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy. [Exodus 20.8-11]

While it might be argued that the 4th Commandment should be included with the Godward commandments, every student of the Commandments will agree that the 4th Commandment carries a "different feel" as if it stands alone in telling us to do nothing. While the other nine commandments tell us what to do or what not to do, the 4th Commandment prescribes a time to do nothing - literally, to rest.

Interestingly enough, the very One Who left out this 4th Commandment "to rest" in His two-fold "love God - love man" synopsis of the Ten Commandments, elsewhere said something quite telling (if we will see it):

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. [Matthew 11.28]

Should we be surprised then, that the Psalmist gave us the solution for dealing with pressure and stress in the subject verse of this article? 

As pressure and stress bear down on me, I find joy in your commands. [Psalm 119.143]

It is tempting here to conclude that all we need then, are the Ten Commandments. While that is actually true because collectively they deal with our relationship to God, our relationship to man, and our relationship to Jesus, how much more do they mean when we know the "rest of the story" that surrounds them! But, when pressure and stress bear down on us, we may not have the luxury of reading and understanding the entire Bible! And, even though people have their "favorite scriptures" the Psalmist, in Psalm 119.143 points us straight to joy in God's commands: the Ten Commandments sum up God's commands!

Want to see something cool?

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry. During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.” But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’” Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the LORD your God.’” Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.” “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the LORD your God and serve only him.’” Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus. [Matthew 4.1-11]

The first two temptations were regarding promises from God to which Jesus responded with Scriptures. The last temptation was regarding loyalty to God to which Jesus responded with the 1st Commandment. It should not be overlooked that Satan kept coming when Jesus quoted various Scriptures. BUT! When Jesus quoted the 1st Commandment, the Word tells us, "Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus." Do we suppose that was by chance?

Now, does it not make perfect sense that the Psalmist would resort to the commandments to be relieved of pressure and stress? Maybe we don't know exactly what Scripture from all the Bible to quote in every pressure and stress situation in our lives, but we certainly know where to start: the Ten Commandments!

It is a sad testament to the modern Church that the Ten Commandments (all ten of them) have taken a back seat to an absolute plethora of books, theologies, denominations, sects and doctrines! It is as if the more the Church encounters pressure and stress, the less it resorts to the Ten Commandments! The Temptation of Jesus teaches us clearly that Satan is not so deterred by our favorite "promise" Scriptures, but, when we put the Commandments in his face, he will not hang around.

This is what the Bible teaches us ...if we are listening.

Father, there is no uncertain hesitancy among the Church today to stand upon Your Ten Commandments. May there be a revival of Your Ten Commandments among those who are actually Yours today. May the Church see that we are united in the Ten Commandments, not divided. May the Church today see Jesus (the Sabbath Rest) central and essential to loving You and loving man. So be it.

To Say "Most People Are Good" Is Idolatry

It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in people. [Psalm 118.8] 

Two years ago, I wrote the article Trust People? approaching the verse above from one perspective. Today, I feel like there is a little more that can be said as this verse is considered from another angle.

If a person's actions do not give evidence of his trust in God alone, how will his words ever convince the world of its need for Him? Also from today's One Year Chronological Bible reading:

Why let the nations say, “Where is their God?” [Psalm 115.2]

Man fails when he trusts man. The only thing any person should trust about another person is: 

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. [Romans 3.23]

On a side note: if our expectations of people are based on God's Word, then we are not so easily offended when people are indeed what God says they are. Furthermore, if we understand that man has no capacity for good, then, and only then are we able to genuinely and appropriately praise God, not them, for any goodness seen in them. 

It is idolatry to call a man good. To call another human being good is to determine they are trustworthy; it is, in fact, to trust in them. To trust them, adulterously puts them in the place of God in our life; it makes them a god unto us. This is problematic because God said:

“I am the LORD your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery. “You must not have any other god but me. “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands. “You must not misuse the name of the LORD your God. The LORD will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name. [Exodus 20.2-7]

Our praise and thanksgiving is to be reserved for God FOR THE VERY REASON THAT HE ALONE IS GOOD.

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. [Psalm 118.1] 

To praise or thank another person as "good" (or, trustworthy) is idolatry against God; it is indeed a misuse of God's good name in violation of His 3rd Commandment. To praise or thank another person as "good" (or, trustworthy) is an affront to the goodness of God.

Now let's take this a painful step further...

Fallen man has created imposing industries of finance, insurance, medicine and technology. Believers and non-believers alike enjoy the benefits (goodness, trustworthiness) of these man-made industries. Believers claim they are "gifts from God." Non-believers, in contrast, say they are a testament of the ingenuity of man and, as such, are good and trustworthy. True non-believers think it foolish that believers actually believe these industries are gifts from God. Psalm 115.2 says:

Why let the nations say, “Where is their God?” [Psalm 115.2]

Psalm 118.8 says:

It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in people. [Psalm 118.8]

As innocent as it may seem to call someone - anyone except God - "good," it is a glaring testimony of idolatry.

“Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good. [Mark 10.18]

Jesus never asked a question He did not know the answer to. The question above is no exception. Jesus' question was an invitation to his followers to understand that He was, in fact, God in the flesh. And, then, His little statement following, Only God is truly good, confirms what is stated in this article. Any argument otherwise has no Biblical basis whatsoever.

Father, help me to see that any disappointment I have with man is my own profession of idolatry against You. This needs to change in my life - help me. So be it.

Fearing God Is Obeying His Commandments

Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom. Praise him forever! [Psalm111.10] 

Like so many statements in the Bible, particularly in the Psalms (songs) and Proverbs, a statement is made followed by another statement saying the same thing in different words. Such is the case with Psalm 111.10.

In short, fearing God IS obeying His commandments.

The "three-legged stool" of all God's commandments can be seen in the first three of the Ten Commandments:

“I am the LORD your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery. “You must not have any other god but me. “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands. “You must not misuse the name of the LORD your God. The LORD will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name. [Exodus 20.2-7]

The fear of the LORD then, is to obediently embrace and trust Him ALONE as God, to make no idols as alternatives or additions, and to never ever speak of Him in a way that blurs the distinction between Him and idols.

When a person has the first three commandments at heart, the 4th Commandment makes perfect sense in that Jesus Christ is the Sabbath Rest. "Keeping the Sabbath" is intimacy with "God in the flesh."

The last six commandments can only really be fulfilled when the "Sabbath" is truly kept holy. Only in Christ can one genuinely love his fellow man.

This is wisdom. This is "fearing God." This is exactly what Jesus was talking about when He said:

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24 (also, Mark 8.34 & Luke 9.23)]

Father, Your Word is not confusing when taken literally. May we have eyes to see and ears to hear when it comes to Your Word. May we feed on it daily. May we bring ourselves into obedience as we understand that Jesus is pivotal in our "loving God and loving man" obedience to Your commandments. So be it.

See The Problem?

Like our ancestors, we have sinned. We have done wrong! We have acted wickedly! [Psalm 106.6] 

What follows this verse is a sad history of Israel's digression into idolatry.

Here is how it started:

Our ancestors in Egypt were not impressed by the LORD’s miraculous deeds. They soon forgot his many acts of kindness to them. Instead, they rebelled against him at the Red Sea. [Psalm 106.7]

Through all the miraculous plagues God put upon Egypt, His own people, whom He spared, shrugged their shoulders at the distinction God made between them and Egypt. This malcontent became evident at the Red Sea:

Didn’t we tell you this would happen while we were still in Egypt? We said, ‘Leave us alone! Let us be slaves to the Egyptians. It’s better to be a slave in Egypt than a corpse in the wilderness!’” [Exodus 14.12] 

Israel's ingratitude in Egypt led to their blasphemous claim above when cornered at the Red Sea. It is here in this condition, like our ancestors, that we find ourselves ungrateful for what God has done to the point that we reason that the world's way is better than God's way. They believed they were better off alive as slaves in Egypt than potentially dead in the wilderness (but free). Their number one mistake was to believe "life" was the goal. From that mistaken platform, every idol takes its stance.

Remember, what Psalm 106.6 is pointing out is that, like our ancestors, we have sinned... So, how does this apply to us today?

The way of Egypt, the way of the world, can clearly be seen in man's industries of finance, insurance, medicine and technology. First and foremost, without exception, these industries enslave people so they might build their own empires. They do so through demanding payments for benefits that God says, in His Word, He will provide. In exchange, they all promise "better life" - "It’s better to be a slave in Egypt than a corpse in the wilderness!"

The way of the world can also be seen in the godlessness of the industries of finance, insurance, medicine and technology. Their high-end marketing unashamedly presents the pursuit of life as all-important. But they do not stop there. Their seductive advertisements, with predictable frequency, not only utilize sexual appeal, but go so far as to present wicked sexual perversion as "normal" depicting same-sex relationships and even transgenderism. The fact that these industries attract us away from trusting God ALONE aside, they do so while 'flooding us' with immorality. What they do to God's people today is the modern version of what they did to our ancestor, Israel:

The people made a calf at Mount Sinai; they bowed before an image made of gold. They traded their glorious God for a statue of a grass-eating bull. [Psalm 106.19-20]

They defiled themselves by their evil deeds, and their love of idols was adultery in the LORD’s sight. [Psalm 106.39] 

Finance, insurance, medicine and technology persuade us to trade the distinct glory of our miraculous God for their money-grubbing empires. They effectively enslave God's people making them believe slavery to them is better than God's miraculous provision. God's people trade their glorious God for temporary provision. It has become so commonplace that no one even notices. There is no distinction between God's people and the world today - no distinction between God's glory and money-grubbing idols.

It does not matter whether I am right or wrong on this issue. The BIBLE is right on it in stunningly timeless fashion! The BIBLE says, "Like our ancestors, we have sinned. We have done wrong! We have acted wickedly!" To deny this statement is to deny the BIBLE and therefore to deny God.

In contrast to the "better life promises" of man's modern idols, Jesus confirms God's stance on the matter:

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24 (also, Mark 8.34 & Luke 9.23)]

Jesus does not lure people with "better life" like the world's idols do. Jesus calls people unto Himself. In fact, death and destruction are given no gravity whatsoever (...take up your cross). Following Jesus is much simpler, but He Himself said it would not be easy:

But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. [Matthew 7.14]

The Kingdom, that the gateway to life leads into, is the goal. And, unsurprisingly, here is what Jesus said about the Kingdom:

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. [Matthew 6.33] 

In contrast, the world's idols offer everything we need. See the problem?

Will we, like our ancestors, trade God's glory to insist on trusting our idols, or will we trust Jesus for everything we need? 

Father, help us first to see our offense directly against You in our adulterous relationship with idols - the money-grubbing immoral industries of finance, insurance, medicine and technology. Then, help us see the narrow gate and difficult road to Your Kingdom with its benefit of "all we need" in miraculous provision. Your Word is clear on the subject, but the world and worldly religion have blinded Your people to the truth. Help us to see Jesus as the very embodiment of Your truth. Help us to give up our own way, take up our cross, and follow Him. So be it.

Reasoning vs. Rejoicing (Complicated vs. Simple)

May all my thoughts be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the LORD. [Psalm 104.34] 

For every person who has every asked, "How can I get control of my thoughts?" we find the answer in today's One Year Chronological Bible reading.

"Rejoice in the LORD" sounds simple enough, right? The problem is, it sounds too simple. The unregenerated human mind reasons that it is too simple. And, this is where idolatry takes hold - this is where man's reason betrays him causing him to look elsewhere than to God for solutions.

Any human-concocted solution that man attempts to displace his godless thoughts with is an idol. In contrast, God, Who demands our undivided trust in Him alone, says, "Rejoice in the LORD"...

For all the people determined to figure it our for themselves, "Rejoice in the LORD"...

For all the people struggling with doubt,  "Rejoice in the LORD"...

For all the people seething in hatred, "Rejoice in the LORD"...

For all the people prone to gossip, "Rejoice in the LORD"...

For all the people knee-deep in need, "Rejoice in the LORD"...

For all the people given over to selfishness (and all the depraved self-gratification it spawns), "Rejoice in the LORD"...

Had Adam and Eve stopped the thought process suggested by Satan by simply beginning to "Rejoice in the LORD"... history would look different.

Reason has no bearing on "rejoice in the LORD." In fact, if what Psalm 104.34 is accurate, then, "rejoice in the LORD" transcends reason.

"Rejoice in the LORD" defensively exalts God as the one and only solution to any and every thought of man (from whence comes every action of man).

Doesn't it make perfect sense then, that every other idol of man keeps him busy - too busy, in fact, to pause and "rejoice in the LORD"? Man's idol industries of finance, insurance, medicine and technology keep man "hopping" to make ends meet distracting him from what is the core solution to every thought that gives way to every action: "Rejoice in the LORD."

God never intended that man "figure it out." And, even if we are confused by the Old Testament and all it says, should we not take Jesus' words for their simplicity? Was that not God's exact plan all along - that Jesus would bring light (clarity) and therefore salvation to mankind?

Here's what Jesus said:

“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. [Matthew 6.31-34]

Worry is a thought. Whether it is a thought about what we will eat, what we will drink, or what we will wear, it is a thought about what we need or what we want. The ONLY way we will be pleasing to God in those thoughts is to "rejoice in the LORD."

The ONLY way we will effectively "rejoice in the LORD" however is if we defensively agree with His Commandments - particularly the first three:

“I am the LORD your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery. “You must not have any other god but me. “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands. “You must not misuse the name of the LORD your God. The LORD will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name. [Exodus 20.2-7]

So, what are your thoughts right now? 

If, in our thoughts, we do not first control the narrative, defending Who God is and what God does ("rejoicing in the LORD"), we give idolatry and all its nasty outcomes free-reign in our lives. This explains why finance (debt), insurance, medicine and technology, in modern human reasoning, are so engrained in (inseparable from) our current lives and society. This explains why the Church today is so powerless. This also explains why all manner of sexual sin progresses unchecked. It's all part of idolatry and the Bible has been warning us of it all along.

It is hard to "rejoice in the LORD" however if we are ignorant of Who He is and what He does. This is the condition that religion without actual relationship with God renders upon mankind. "So," the question begs to be asked, "how do we know we have relationship with God?" Good question! Easy answer: Jesus!

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24 (also, Mark 8.34 & Luke 9.23)]

How could such a simple answer have such complicated implications? Well, here we go... when we use our minds to reason instead of rejoicing, the complications begin!

"Rejoice in the LORD" means to unapologetically defend Who God is and what God does. When that priority is firmly established, our thoughts will please God because then, and only then, can we be focused on His Kingdom without regard for circumstances - as Jesus demonstrated to perfection.

Father, I never thought so much could be found in Psalm 104.34. But as I have come to know You and Your Word better, the clearer I see verses like Psalm 104.34. May I be found rejoicing in You so that my thoughts and my actions will please You. May I be found giving up my own way, taking up my cross, and following Jesus. So be it.

A Challenge To Christians

Those who worship idols are disgraced—all who brag about their worthless gods—for every god must bow to him. [Psalm 97.7] 

Think about it...

I want to challenge Christians everywhere to find a single advertisement for debt, insurance, medicine or technology that gives God the credit for their advertised benefit.

The thing is, none of these idol industries give God credit or glory. It is God's people that try to justify their spiritual adultery in trusting these idols by claiming they are "gifts from God."

The "necessity" of these idol industries represents a polar-opposite priority than what Jesus demands. In other words, the "life" that the idol industries of debt, insurance, medicine and technology all promote is the very thing Jesus demanded we must "give up."

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24 (also, Mark 8.34 & Luke 9.23)]

Literally nothing in Jesus' demand above suggests that we preserve or even pursue "life." Nothing.

Being a Christ-follower is not an add-on to a person's life. It is to be the sum total of their life.

What this means is that a would-be follower of Christ has a LOT of idols to jettison if he or she is to be recognized by Christ as His follower! Not my words... see Matthew 16.24 above.

Father, the implications of Matthew 16.24 and our "necessity" idols of debt, insurance, medicine and technology are serious ...if indeed we see them for what they are. Oh God Who created our ears, may we with them hear! Oh God Who made our eyes, may we with them see! May all who follow Jesus distinctly represent Him today in the earth, giving up their own way, taking up their cross, and following Him. So be it.

God Alone Means God Alone

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day. Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you. Just open your eyes, and see how the wicked are punished. If you make the LORD your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone. You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet! The LORD says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.” [Psalm 91] 

Why would anyone who genuinely believes Psalm 91 need debt, insurance, medicine or technology?

Let the question above be answered here clearly: Because an important part of verse 2 is ignored:

This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. [Psalm 91.2]

Is verse 2 completely ignored? No, of course not! Otherwise we would not have or need religion and religious activities. However the most important part of verse 2 is indeed not only ignored, but blatantly violated. Here it is again with bold indicating where people go terribly wrong:

This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. [Psalm 91.2] 

In today's One Year Chronological Bible reading, we find more than one reference to God alone...

Let your unfailing love surround us, LORD, for our hope is in you alone. [Psalm 33.22]

O LORD, you alone are my hope. I’ve trusted you, O LORD, from childhood. [Psalm 71.5] 

I will praise your mighty deeds, O Sovereign LORD. I will tell everyone that you alone are just. [Psalm 71.16] 

What makes a person believe God alone does not mean God alone? The answer is also found in today's One Year Chronological Bible reading:

Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the LORD, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do. [Psalm 1.1-3]

The counsel of the world contradicts the counsel of the Word of God. Where God says in His Word that He will take care of our every need (clearly stated in Psalm 91), the advice of the wicked world instead says, "You need debt, insurance, medicine and technology."

What is worse is that the counsel of religion contradicts the counsel of the Word of God! Where God says in His Word, "I will take care of your every need" (clearly stated in Psalm 91), religion, just like the wicked world, instead also says, "You also need debt, insurance, medicine and technology."

Then, when all hell breaks loose and religious people begin to feel sorry for themselves, religion, that agrees with the world saying they need the idols of debt, insurance, medicine and technology, tells them, "God knows your heart..." as if that makes pitiful dependence upon idols alright... while God's Word says:

The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? [Jeremiah 17.9]

The issue is not God knowing our heart, but instead that we do not know our heart! If we do not know God's Word, there is no way we can know our own heart! Instead, we will follow the advice of the wicked, stand around with sinners, and even join in with those who mock God and His Word. And, how do we do that? By embracing debt, insurance, medicine and technology instead of God because we have not meditated on God's Word day and night!

God and His Word are not wrong on this issue! God and His Word are not unclear on this issue! God wants our hope, our trust, and our justice to come from Him ALONE!

Then comes along Jesus. While many may be sighing in relief right now that Jesus makes it all okay, nothing could be further from the truth because Jesus actually went right straight to the heart of the matter of not trusting God alone:

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24 (also, Mark 8.34 & Luke 9.23)]

Debt, insurance, medicine and technology are our "...own way." And, the very destruction they claim we need them to remediate is the very destruction Jesus, to the contrary, instructed us to fearlessly embrace: "take up your cross..."!

This is a clear representation of what the Word of God teaches us. And, we can be absolutely certain that...

Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to him for protection. [Proverbs 30.5]

Father in heaven, we have for so long believed the lie that we need something in addition to You to be sustained in this earth. However, Your word is clear that You want and demand that we trust in You ALONE. Now, for us to get back to that kind of dependence only upon You, we find ourselves not only with a spiritual decision, but a cultural decision... one that will undoubtedly disrupt all that we know as "normal" in our lives. Raise up among us those who will courageously break counsel with the world and religion not following the advice of the wicked, not standing around with sinners, and not joining in with mockers. Raise up among us those who will give up their own way, take up their cross, and follow Jesus - God in the flesh - ALONE. So be it.