Afternoon, March 20th

Whom do we trust, God or man? I can see that it might be easier to trust what we can see and touch rather than what we take on faith. God is warning the people not to trust in their kings to protect them while they are going against commandments and worshiping false gods. They were offering sacrifice to Baal, even murdering their children by throwing them into the fires built to honor Baal. Is it any wonder that God was angry! The result of their trust in their kings was the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of those remaining into Babylon. About 800 years later, the immorality in Rome so weakened this once powerful nation and allowed it to be overcome by the army of Constantine. And he along with the church (Catholic) had the day of worship changed from the Seventh Day of the week to the first day of the week without any scriptural athority to do so, what so ever. Today we also face a lack of morality in our world. This behavior and a lack of belief and trust in God has weakened strong nations and there are always governments that are poised to take advantage of weakness. Regardless of what is going on around us, we need to stay firm as did the prophets, and keep reminding those who will listen that we need to return to the way that leads to Christ. It isn't easy, but we need to trust that God will bring good out of whatever evil seems to be happening in the present. After all, at the end of the Babylonian captivity King Cyrus sent the Israelites back with enough gold to rebuild the temple. After Constantine defeated the Romans, the persecution of Christians ended. We can't see into the future, but one day we will understand God's plan. For now, it is enough that we trust.

Prayer

Lord, only you know how this world will end. We know that when our lives are over, you have a place for all those who trusted in you and didn't place their trust in human beings who would lead them away from you. Amen.