In _________ We Trust

We just passed the 22 year anniversary of the coordinated attacks on America on September 11, 2001, resulting in the tragic loss of close to 3,000 innocent lives. We found out that day that even our powerful and beloved nation was susceptible to the evils of terrorism. On that day, we collectively took inventory of who we were and our place in this world.

We have emblazoned on our currency the declaration, “In God We Trust.” But, do we? Merriam Webster (the dictionary people) defines that five letter word as the “reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something.” As a nation, the honest, gut-wrenching truth is that what we have printed on every piece of currency is not printed on the hearts of its citizenry. Salvation does not come to nations, but to individuals.

If God is not first in your life, then everything else is an idol. God is very clear. If you place your trust in anything else but Him, even your collection of idols are utterly useless and will fail you when most needed.

Religion? That is nothing but a set of rules and regulations that no one on earth can live up to or endure. It might provide a temporary relief from the guilt and pains that heap up in this life, but there is no salvation in religion. It is nothing but a Band-Aid trying to cover up a very large and hemorrhaging wound.

There IS, however, hope and salvation offered for your soul through a RELATIONSHIP with God through His only Son, Jesus Christ!

Self? That’s pretty limiting and a non-starter from the get-go. If you have to cry out for help, then you have already admitted your own limitation.

What about government? A financial institution? A fellow human being? These all have their place and can help in some limited way, but when we cry out in desperation we soon see and experience the very finite and constricted limitations they offer. Only God in His infinite power, mercy, and grace can save us.

Don’t count on your collection of idols to get you through life’s storms. There is only ONE who saves our very soul…

…and His name is Jesus!