Beloved: I am delighted to welcome you to another week of the month of April 2020. And I pray that God will make where you are a place of rest and flourishing for you, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
It is clear that many all around the world are confined to their various houses at the moment and cannot freely move around to work or do anything for themselves. And that is because of the rapid spread of COVID-19, which has forced governnments of all the countries in the world to place some degree of restrictions on their peoples. To what extent this is affecting everyone only God can tell. But it is clear that many are not finding it easy or funny at all, which is why there are all kinds of complaints and murmurrings everywhere. I mean that there are murmurings and finger pointing in many places against government leaders, political leaders, community leaders, religious leaders, leaders in the business world and even those who lead various world organisations. And that is largely due to the inability of many of them to provide true leadership and comfort for their people at such a time as this.
But then, the Lord already says to this to us about human leaders, “Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save.” (Ps 146:3NIV) Did you see that? The Lord says we are not to put our trust in human leaders. And notice that He does not say, “Do not obey human leaders.” We are to obey our leaders, as long as they are not asking us to do something contrary to the will of God (Dan 3&6). This, of course, is good and pleasing to God, who takes no pleasure in rebellion and pride (Rom 13:1-5; 1Pet 2:13-14).
In any case, why does the Lord tell us not to trust in human leaders? It is because they cannot save us from our problems. Yes, they will always promise us heaven and earth and salvation and relief from all kinds of problems and trials we are daily confronted with. But the truth is that even if they have the will to do the things they have promised to do, the ability to deliver does not belong to them but to God (Prov 16:1&9 & 19:21). And if He does not enable them to do as they desire or as they have promised, nothing will ever get done by them.
Therefore, the Lord warns us not to put our trust in them or in any other human but in Him. And why should we put our trust in Him? First, it is because He cares about us (Matt 6:25-34; 1Pet 5:7). Second, it is because He has the ability to fully take care of us (Jer 32:27). Third, it is because He can be trusted all the time (Deut 32:3-4; 1Thess 5:24). No wonder the writer of the Psalm I gave you above goes on to say:
“Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them — the LORD, who remains faithful forever. He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets prisoners free, the LORD gives sight to the blind, the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down, the LORD loves the righteous. The LORD watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.” (Ps 146:5-9NIV)
Look at that. Blessed is the one whose trust is in the Lord, the Maker and Owner of everything. Why? It is because the Lord will certainly and always take care of him, regardless of what the circumstances of his life might be. Look at the different categories of people the Psalmist mentions in that Psalm and how the Lord takes care of them, though they are weak and helpless. And He will take care of you too, if you will allow Him and put your trust in Him, even during this period when many are filled with depression, distrust and bitterness. So, put your trust in Him, my friend, notwithstanding what your current situation may be. And you will find that He is utterly faithful and dependable.
Do have a pleasant week.
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