I Was Just Thinking About – BUT GOD.
One of the powerful and meaningful phrases of Scripture is
stated in Ephesians 2:4 (ESV), “But God.” The chapter begins by informing us of the condition of a person before the “but God”
intervention, namely, being “dead in trespasses and sins.” How vital was/is
that divine intervention? What eternal and magnificent difference does “but God”
make in one’s life? Verses 4-8 addresses the mercy of God being shown and the
grace of God bringing salvation. It includes the inheritance and hope of being
with Jesus Christ in the place He has prepared. It is a place where His
continuing kindness toward those who have been saved by grace will prevail
throughout eternity.
The national news interviewed an Alabama State
Representative. David Standridge (R) earlier this morning (Tuesday, August 14,
2018). He has submitted a bill before the State Legislature for consideration
of putting “In God We Trust” back into the public schools of the state because
he believes the words will provide “comfort” for the children and staff. One can
anticipate the clamor of those who championed the removal of Prayer and Bible Reading
from the schools, those who will argue for the separation of church and state.
Let’s suppose this Bill is successful and “In God We Trust” is submitted back
into the public schools. Will these four words actually provide “comfort” if or
when there is a traumatic incident occurring in the school environs? Is “comfort”
the only purpose in the words of the national motto, In God We Trust? The motto
should be of greater import than just the possibility of “comfort.” The words
infer much more than that suggested potential or possibility.
On the Internet, someone posed the question: How Can I Learn To Trust That God Is In
Control? An unnamed source gives four ways to validate In God We Trust. “Before we can learn to trust that God is in control
of all of life’s circumstances, we have to answer four questions: (1) Is God
really in control? (2) How much control does He have? (3) If He is not in complete
control, then who/what is? (4) How can I learn to trust that He is in control
and rest in that?” The supplied answer for question 1 is: “Is God really in
control? The concept of the control of God over everything is called the ‘sovereignty’
of God. Nothing gives us strength and confidence like an understanding of the sovereignty
of God in our lives…God is in complete control of every molecule in the
universe at every moment and everything that happens is either caused or
allowed by Him for His own perfect purposes.”
To recognize that God is always in
control of all things requires that one must have a comprehensive knowledge of
God and His ways, as well as having and maintaining an intimate relationship
with Him in our daily lives. We need to know Him and become bold to make Him
known. The Biblical instruction and requirement that enables one to proclaim: “In
God We Trust” is Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV), “Trust in the Lord with all your
heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Another passage that
connects to these words is Psalm 37:4-6 (NKJV), “Trust in the Lord…Delight yourself also in the Lord,
and He shall give you the desires of
your heart. Commit your way to the Lord,
Trust also in Him,
and He shall bring it to pass.
He shall bring forth your
righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.”
Do our schools need more
than a national motto to bring them comfort? Does our nation need to return to
the foundational principle of the national motto and truly believe "In God We
Trust"? The obvious answer is: Yes! Of equal concern is whether or not the
Church and Christian community is
adequately proclaiming and living the reality of “In God We Trust.” The
evidence that this is a truth by which one lives and the Church exists is
clearly stated in Proverbs 3, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and
lean not on your own understanding; In
all your ways acknowledge Him…” Is this the witness of your life? In every
detail of your life, is “But God” both resident and prominent?
Prayerfully – consider these things with
me.
1 comment:
My greatest comfort as I enter a public school each and every day is the sense of the constant presence of God. I am thankful there is no political entity that can "remove" him from anywhere. I frequently pray/talk to him throughout each and every day asking his blessings ,on each and every student, teacher, and staff member. I also pray for our country to turn to the God who made us. Thank you for reminding us that we must ever hone that relationship.
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