God Sees behind Appearances

God Sees behind Appearances

Good Morning Friends,

If the motto “In God we trust,” was proposed today, having never been on our money, it might receive a very different reception than it did when it was first adopted. I kind of like the idea of mottos on money. I also like the idea of legislative prayer too. Both in a way are witness that God does not compartmentalize our lives into religious and secular.

When we render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s and unto God that which is God’s, we realize that God owns it all. Still there is, I think, what people can perceive as both a secular and religious purpose at play here. Public prayer could very well help leaders to be better leaders. And perhaps every time we make a transaction, that motto helps us to focus on a more peaceful purchase and sale. Who knows, maybe we need “In God We Trust” on our Credit Cards too. But all this makes me wonder though how much God can trust us. Really who are we fooling? You have to know that God Sees behind Appearances.

Scripture:
 “Now here’s a surprise: The master praised the crooked manager! And why? Because he knew how to look after himself. Streetwise people are smarter in this regard than law-abiding citizens. They are on constant alert, looking for angles, surviving by their wits. I want you to be smart in the same way—but for what is right—using every adversity to stimulate you to creative survival, to concentrate your attention on the bare essentials, so you’ll live, really live, and not complacently just get by on good behavior. “Jesus went on to make these comments: If you’re honest in small things, you’ll be honest in big things; if you’re a crook in small things, you’ll be a crook in big things. If you’re not honest in small jobs, who will put you in charge of the store? No worker can serve two bosses: He’ll either hate the first and love the second or adore the first and despise the second.  You can’t serve both God and the Bank.

Luke 16:8-13 (Message)

The fear of others lays a snare, but one who trusts in the Lord is secure.

Proverbs 29:25 (NRSV)

He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.

Psalm 40:3 (NRSV)

It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to put confidence in mortals.

Psalm 118:8 (NRSV)

Message: The Establishment Clause says, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.” The Supreme Court is tackling the issue of separation of church and state in a public prayer case now. There are those arguing before the Supreme Court for legislative prayer to be only non-sectarian in nature. It is likely to be defeated for there is no such thing as a non-sectarian prayer really. Some people are always left out by their own choosing. Limiting how and what is said in prayer is a problem. Saying the name of Jesus is a problem for some. Maybe the test should not be about coercion but whether the prayer serves a higher purpose. Still the divide is not new. Jesus also recognized there are only two kinds of people. He divides the entire human race into these two groups. Some are what He called, “people of this world” and the others are what He called “people of the light.” Of course God knows what is going on in the motto and prayer debate. What most people miss is that the motto on our bills and coins and the prayers offered to start government meetings have a secular purpose and effect. Perhaps they both are more worldly wisdom than religious. That 90% of Americans like “In God We Trust “on our money begs the question as to why. Maybe the people of this world who do not have a personal relationship with God are shrewder in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light. Come on, “Children of the Light,” wake up! The reason we all need a little dose of worldly wisdom on our money and in our places of government is because we have to live and operate in a world filled with dishonest, crooked people. If you aren’t shrewd, you’ll be eaten like a lamb in a pack of wolves. Still do not be fooled, the opposite of sectarian isn’t “nonsectarian,” it’s secular and God owns that too.

Pray for people who are down to their last pocket of change, that they be reminded to have faith in God. Pray for those with big bank accounts that they might be reminded that there is greater strength in many joined together. Pray we be cautious in saying God is on our side. Pray we are honest when we confess we are His publicly. Pray we not separate what God has joined together. Pray we trust in the Lord. Pray we see ourselves as God sees us.

Blessings,

John Lawson