June 10
1 Kings 15:16-22; 2 Chronicles 16:1-10; 1 Kings 16:1-34, 15:23-24; 2 Chronicles 16:11-17:19; 1 Kings 17:1-7
Titles often don't truly reflect reality. The Enlightenment Period of history was mostly led by atheists like Voltaire and David Hume. Planned Parenthood has nothing to do with becoming parents, just as being pro-choice has nothing to do with real choice. In 1992, Evidence based Medicine was launched. The initial 3 prongs were the best evidence based on peer reviewed journals, the wisdom of the physicians (especially those that had in practice for many years), along with individualizing care for each patient. The last two prongs have long since been removed, and medicine has become a totalitarian movement in which a few in power, decide on the evidence that is fit to print based on the bias of the editors, which is followed by these same leaders who put forth guidelines and protocols which the masses of physicians blindly follow. But to speak against any of these things sounds counter-intelligent the way they are labeled. Are you against evidence, or enlightenment, or choice, etc? The truth is for way too long, we have relied on others: "experts", "celebrities", professors, politicians, physicians, etc. rather than God. Our response to the recent pandemic is clear proof to this. Nothing made sense, yet very few relied on God. Instead the masses placed their full trust in the "experts" and their physicians. Who do you rely on?
King Asa of Judah was a very good king. Throughout most of hsi reign he placed his full trust on God, and the results were amazing, as he conquered armies much greater than his own, and mostly lived in complete in peace. But in his later years he foolishly compromised. In his 36th year on the throne, he was threatened by King Baasha of Israel. But now, rather than trusting in God which worked so well for 36 years, he trusted in an alliance with the Syrian king. It seemed to have worked, but then we read in 2 Chronicles 16:7-9, "And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said to him: “Because you have relied on the king of Syria, and have not relied on the Lord your God, therefore the army of the king of Syria has escaped from your hand. Were the Ethiopians and the Lubim not a huge army with very many chariots and horsemen? Yet, because you relied on the Lord, He delivered them into your hand. For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars.” Then again, we read in 16:12, "And in the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa became diseased in his feet, and his malady was severe; yet in his disease he did not seek the Lord, but the physicians."
Being a Christian does not mean that you always rely on God, just as Asa was a good king, but did not always rely on God. God will show Himself more than trustworthy to those who are willing to place their full trust and reliance on Him. But all too often we take our eyes off of Him and mistakenly place our trust on others who seem trustworthy. Our response to the last pandemic showed this all too vividly. Fear set in, along with an overwhelming drive from each and every expert, and we all saw the results. Like sheep, the masses followed, but they didn't follow the Good Shepherd, but other shepherds of their own choosing. This does not mean that there was only one way to do things: wear or don't wear masks, vaccinate or don't vaccinate. The real question is less about what you did, but who did you seek when you decided how to respond. Even if you only sought yourself, that is not relying on God. Realize the pandemic was a test, and we failed. This is just the beginning. There will be much more to come. The question is when these "surprises" come to fruition, who will you place your trust in God or someone else?
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: