Fruitless

Malachi 1:4-5 “Edom may say, “Though we have been crushed, we will rebuild the ruins.

”But this is what the Lord Almighty says: “They may build, but I will demolish. They will be called the Wicked Land, a people always under the wrath of the Lord. You will see it with your own eyes and say, ‘Great is the Lord—even beyond the borders of Israel!’

As I write this entry, the world is embroiled in a period of unrest. The Russian military is building up it’s forces on the Ukrainian border, preparing for what seems to be an eventual invasion.

On a separate front, China is continuing it’s push to increase their military presence in the South China Sea. Taiwan has been threatened on numerous occasions and every country that threatens to intervene the rhetoric of aggression only grows.

The world has a long history of mayhem and rebellion, particularly against God, the people of ancient Babylon can attest to the fruitless attempts at usurping God’s authority. With the pride of man on full display, the Lord quickly dispersed these people in their ignorance.

Genesis 11:8-9 “So the Lord scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth, and they ceased building the city. Therefore its name is called Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of all the earth; and from there the Lord scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth.”

Nearly 3000 years later Jeremiah was found warning the people of Israel regarding God’s judgement. Not unlike the people of ancient Mesopotamia, Israel began to forsake the One True God for other gods, as a result of their rebellion God’s judgement was to be fulfilled by the same civilization of Babylon that was once denounced so long before.

Jeremiah 9:7-9 “Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts:

“Behold, I will refine them and try them;
For how shall I deal with the daughter of My people?
Their tongue is an arrow shot out;
It speaks deceit;
One speaks peaceably to his neighbor with his mouth,
But in his heart he lies in wait.
Shall I not punish them for these things?” says the Lord.
“Shall I not avenge Myself on such a nation as this?”

A common trait among the rebellious is deceit. Deceit comes forth from a heart that has turned against God. We witness deceit in our politicians and we see it evidenced in a world that strives to attain things by any means possible.

As believers, we must come out of this world and be separate. We don’t need to partake in the same form of corruption to get ahead, we don’t need these tactics because we have something far better.

Our Advocate

When considering the work of Christ, the redemption Jesus provided His people continues through all of our faults and failures.

Romans 8:34 “Who is there to condemn us? For Christ Jesus, who died, and more than that was raised to life, is at the right hand of God–and He is interceding for us.”

As Jesus has brought His people from darkness into His light, He continues to lead His people through every accusation brought against them.

As God’s people navigate in this world, the importance of remembering our heading becomes ever more imperative.

Ephesians 6:12 “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”

Likewise, knowing who is truly our enemy, gives insight into every form of attack that shields itself against deceit. Our shield of faith by which God has equipped His people, filters what is true and what is not.

Schemes

God’s people must be wary of the world’s schemes.

The corruption of the world fights to leave a legacy that will not endure. We can’t allow ourselves to get caught up in the objectives of a world gone astray. Whether the draw is to fear an impending war, the fear of an agenda that seems devious, fear of a loss of rights or freedoms, or the continuous deception of those who fight to establish themselves in a world that is only temporary–the Church does not need these things to succeed…..the church is more than able in Christ alone.

1 Kings 2:3 “And keep the charge of the Lord your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his rules, and his testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn”

The very same principles that God demonstrated to Israel; His desires for those who heed His challenge, to walk faithfully in His statutes and commandments, honoring Him by obeying His law…these attributes of successful living lead to God’s blessing for all who follow Him.

The Lord does not change nor do the principles that are important to Him.

The schemes of this world are to acquire power and position by any means possible; like building a tower to the heavens in defiance of God’s sovereignty, governments today strive to establish dominance by their own form of wisdom.

All striving by man, apart from God, will be found fruitless.

What we Build

What constructs are you building in your life?

Are you placing all your hope in your retirement account, or do you make your health a top priority at the gym each day?

Whatever form of defense we erect in our lives, they are only paper dreams when it comes to our security.

Psalm 16:8 “I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.”

There seems to be no end to the barrage of people who encourage you to invest in gold. The personal testimonies of those who look so happy and secure now that they know their investments are “secure”, paints the image of how to gain peace of mind.

Do you know how valuable your gold will be in the midst of a global economic collapse?; about as valuable as someone else wants to pay for it. If money is in short supply, do you think someone will want to buy gold or commodities, like food and shelter?

What about everyone who has invested in weapons? It doesn’t take many powers of observation to see what happens during times of crisis, particularly for average citizens wielding weapons in the streets. In our society it’s becoming more dangerous for people trying to protect themselves than it is for criminals acting in their own dark interests.

Jeremiah 33:6 “Behold, I will bring to it health and healing, and I will heal them and reveal to them abundance of prosperity and security.”

If we truly want security in our health, finances, or homes…we have but one place to turn—in Christ alone.

• The Lord preserves His faithful ones.
• The Lord strengthens and protects.
• The Lord provides in the midst of calamity.

Where is our faith?

Is our faith in ourselves, in a worlds philosophy, in our feeble attempts to preserve our lives, or do we place our hope upon the Rock of Christ Jesus?

Psalm 40:2 “He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.”

In a world that seems characteristically unstable, we have a sure foundation. Do not fear. Whatever is happening around us we are secure when we place our hope in God alone.