Psalm 52, a psalm of David, describes David’s words to an enemy who sought to inform King Saul of his whereabouts. Of this man, David wrote, “Your tongue devises destruction, like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. You love evil more than good, lying rather than speaking righteousness. You love all devouring words, you deceitful tongue” (2-4). David then proclaims his confidence that “God shall likewise destroy you forever” (5).
Apparently this man, in his wickedness, had obtained financial security. David said of him, “Here is the man who did not make God his strength, but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness” (7). This description is so appropriate to our day. There are so many in our nation who have trusted in their riches.
For example, there are two fairly new upper income housing developments that are within sight of our church building. While we have had many visitors over the years from other places, many of them living very modest lives with little money, we have yet to have a single visitor from either of these higher income communities. That’s not to say that some are not religious. But, it is characteristic of the rich to trust in their position, influence and money rather than God. Jesus knew of the danger of riches, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God” (Matthew 19:23-24).
Lest we quickly condemn those who are rich, defining a rich man as one who has more money than I do, might I note that our nation was doing very well for the past several years. The economy was thriving. People were employed. Everything was going good. And we trusted in our money, not realizing how vulnerable we actually were.
And then the pandemic hit. Our economy has come to a stand still. Many have lost their jobs. Our government has yet to indicate when the shelter in place will end, and our economy will be restarted. People are worried. They have begun to realize that you can’t trust “in the abundance” of riches.
In contrast, note the words of David. Unlike the wicked man in Psalm 52, David described himself, “But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever. I will praise You forever, because You have done it; and in the presence of Your saints I will wait on Your name, for it is good” (8-9).
Rather than trusting our riches, our government, our economy, our leaders, we need to trust in God! It is my prayer that the current global troubles will cause the world to finally begin searching for Him. Paul spoke words to the Greeks in Athens regarding all men, that “they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.'” (Acts 17:27-28).
Click below to…
