Man’s wisdom or science is unfortunately
not the only hindrance that hinders men from having complete trust in God, His
name and Jesus Christ. Although, man’s wisdom or science is the most
destructive of all due to its permanent everlasting effect it will have on man’s
ultimate purpose and destiny which is to inherit the kingdom of God and to rule
with Jesus Christ as kings and priests and be one with God, but there are six
other areas where people place their trust instead of in God and they are as
follows:
• Weapons
Anyone who has placed their trust
in God should not trust in weapons to defend themselves against their enemies.
For it is written, “It is through God we will push back our enemies, it is
through God’s name we trample our foes, we do not trust in our weapon, our
weapon does not bring us victory, but God gives us victory over our enemies, He
put our enemies to shame” (Psalms 44:5-7).
• Wealth
Anyone who has placed their trust
in God should not trust in wealth, whether it be hefty solid bank account, a
good comprehensive insurance, a good solid pension plan, a reliable investment,
or a secure job, because; “Those who trust in their wealth and boast in the
multitude of their riches, none of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor
give to God a ransom for him ---For the redemption of their souls is costly,
And it shall cease forever” (Psalms 49:6-8).
In contrast, the instructions
given to us by the Lord is, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s
life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses” (Luke
2:15).
In light of this, Jesus Christ
gave a parable of the ground of a certain rich man which yielded plentifully.
And he thought within himself saying, “What shall I do, since I have no room to
store my crops?” So he said. I will do this: I will pull down my barns and
build greater, and there I will store my crops and my goods. And I will say to
my soul, soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat,
drink, and be merry,” But God said to him, ‘You fool! This night your soul will
be required of you, then whose will those things be which you have provided? So
is he who lays up treasures for himself, and is not rich toward God” (Luke
12:15-21).
Instead of being anxious and
fearful when things seems gloomy, we are admonished to, “Consider the birds of
the air who do not sow or reap, have no store room or barn; yet God feeds them.
And consider how the lilies grow, they do not labor or spin, yet even Solomon
in his entire splendor was dressed like one of these. And if God feed the birds
which have neither storehouse or barn: and clothes the grass, which today is in
the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he feed and
clothe us, who are of more value than birds and lilies.
Therefore, we are not to set our
hearts on what we will eat, or drink; nor have any anxious mind. For all these
things the Gentiles seek after, and our Father knows that we need these things.
But seek the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew
6:28-33).
Those who have placed their trust
in God are to be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and
supplications with thanksgiving, should make their request and prayers known to
God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guide their
hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4: 6-7).
If one who has surrendered
his/her life to God becomes despondent, discouraged, fearful, and anxious when
the situation looks bleak, it simply means that his/her trust is not in God,
but in the things which makes him/her feels secure such as:
• Leaders
Those who have placed their trust
in the Lord are admonished to; “Not to put their trust in princes, in mortal
men, who cannot save. Because when their spirit departs they return to the
ground, on that very day their plans come to nothing” (Psalm 146:3-4).
• Man.
For it is written; “Cursed is the
man who trusts in man, and makes flesh his strength, whose heart depart from
the Lord.” One can never know when a man will stop being faithful to God, and
turn away from the way of God (Jeremiah 17:5).
• Works
Anyone who places his/her trust
in works and their treasures strengthens himself in his wickedness. For thus
says the Lord; “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty
man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches, but let him
who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord,
exercising loving kindness, judgment and righteousness in the earth. For in
these I delight,” says the Lord” (Jeremiah 9:23; 48:7, Psalms 52:7).
• His/her
own righteousness
For thus says the Lord, “When I
say to the righteous that he shall surely live, but he trusts in his own
righteousness and commits iniquity, none of his righteous works shall be
remembered; but because of the iniquity that he has committed he shall die” (Ezekiel 33:13).
And so, instead of placing our
trust in man’s wisdom, (science), weapons, wealth, leaders, man, works and our
own righteousness we ought to place our trust in God’s name, His word and Jesus
Christ. Unfortunately, the majority of us who profess to believe in Jesus
Christ, place our complete trust in God only when it becomes the last resort
because everything else have failed. What a tragedy!
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With brotherly love
Lucius Joseph
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