OSTENTATIOUS

From My Perspective - - -

The old saying “talk is cheap” has a reality to it in these times. Even though it costs millions of dollars to place Ads and to get one’s point of view before the public, the reality remains – rhetoric is one thing – content/substance is another. To be able to deliver or to have a means to deliver in terms of one’s rhetorical declarations – requires foundational principles and a clear, precise idea how the rhetoric will be matched by reality.

Many words have been stated to express where our nation is, or where it is headed – terms such as – Humanistic, Marxist, Socialist, etc. Two statements worth pondering are: (1) A tenant from Humanist Manifesto III, “Humans are an integral part of nature, the result of unguided evolutionary change. Humanists recognize nature as self-existing. We accept our life as all and enough, distinguishing things as they are from things as we might wish or imagine them to be. We welcome the challenges of the future, and are drawn to and undaunted by the yet to be known.” (2) A statement made in the early years of Sir Winston Churchill, “Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy.” It is interesting to view the words of President Roosevelt in 1933, “…my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance…” and to ask, what is his foundation for such a declaration? Other than it being swelling and inspiring rhetoric, what significant meaning does it have for those thrown into poverty and losing all they have worked for and owned? Is the State the savior for a nation?

In like manner, the very stirring rhetoric and commentary of Sir Winston Churchill in 1940 during warfare and bombardment, “I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat…” In terms of facing a relentless and determined enemy, he expressed his aim as: “It is victory, victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory, however long and hard the road may be; for without victory, there is no survival…” What is the foundation for his dramatic and dynamic rhetoric? Is the State the savior in this instance? Is the hope in the skill and determination of the Royal Air Force to ward off the enemy, evoking more rhetoric, “…never has so much owed by so many to so few…” Is it the human ingenuity and determination that is the deciding factor for Great Britain and the United States of America?

Consider these things with me - - - and also think about these words in Psalm 56:3 through 7, “When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me? All day long they twist my words; they are always plotting to harm me. They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps, eager to take my life. On no account let them escape; in your anger, O God, bring down the nations.” These words are in a Psalm of David after he has been taken captive by the Philistines in Gath. As the Anointed King, where is his hope? What is his hope? There are two truths that stand out in these words of David: (1) There are times when one will be genuinely afraid, and (2) There is a focus in terms of the enemy being just ‘mortal man’ and he asks himself – ‘what can a mortal man do to me?’ David is looking beyond an earthly army, and human determination, and self-help theories. He unashamedly declares that his hope and trust and confidence is in The Sovereign God; the God who created all things and who maintains all things by the Word of His Power.

As people face uncertain economical times; as jobs, and savings, and homes are lost; when one looks into the tunnel and all one can see is more tunnel; when billions of dollars are being given to failed corporations and one is at wits end – what should you do? Where can you go? Where can you find relief and help? Why not do what David did when he was confined and limited in terms of his human resources! When he had reached a peak of being afraid, what did David do? His conviction and commitment is crystal clear: “When I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid.” Emulate David and put your faith, and trust, and confidence, and hope in the trustworthy, Sovereign God!