What Happens When the Cops Become Robbers?

Your rulers are rebels, companions of thieves; they all love bribes and chase after gifts.

Isaiah 1:23, NIV (1978)

 

When I was a kid, we played cops and robbers. During that era - before everybody was "breaking bad" - we all wanted to be the cops because we knew that they were good and that the robbers were evil. Since that was the case, you would have to switch roles every once and a while so everybody had a chance to be the good guy. When I was a kid, the good guy always won. Furthermore, even a child knew in his heart that this was the way it should be.

 

Fast forward to our modern times. In recent news have come a flood of incidents that reveal a different story than the good guys have been accustomed too. Many of these stories involve accounts of how officials in positions of power are preventing voter identification laws. Why? Doesn't it make sense to make absolutely sure in one of the most sacred functions of society that we know a person has the legal right to be voting? In a society that demands I.D. to come into certain types of movies, to purchase certain types of products, to operate a motor vehicle and even to attend a big political rally or fly on an airplane, why wouldn't we require an I.D. for voting? The arguments against requiring an I.D. to vote are intellectually weak to say the least, but they are being made all the same and judges and politicians are upholding the "right" for people to vote without proving they have that right in the first place.

 

That's bad enough and is certainly serious enough to call into question the legitimacy of our modern elections, but it hasn't stopped here. Recently in the news we learned that the State of Alabama was being sued by the Justice Department of the United States of America for removing the names of illegal aliens from the voting registers. Let that sink in for a moment: The chief law enforcement agency of our nation is attempting to force a state to knowingly assist criminals in performing an illegal act. And, since so many of our federal judges are in their positions through political appointments - placed there by politicians to do their bidding instead of to maintain justice, it is likely that some federal judge along the line will uphold the Justice Department's illegal act.

 

So, what's the big deal, you might be wondering. It's just this: The cops have become the robbers. 

 

When this happens, you no longer have a rule of law that is enforced in a fair and unbiased manner. And, without a rule of law, you no longer have the basis for a nation to be a nation. 

 

This was happening in Isaiah's time. As was stated in the passage above, the rulers had become rebels - they were quite literally companions of thieves! Their cops had become robbers, and as a result, God was about to take away their right to be a nation. He was sending the prophet Isaiah to warn them that they had to repent and that their time to do so was running out. The punishment for tolerating the corruption of their leaders was going to be severe, so they had better listen to God and take care of their situation before God had no other choice but to intervene. The thing that should sober our thinking about our modern times is that the people of that time did not take God's warning seriously, and most of the nation was destroyed in a punishment that is almost too horrible to describe. 

 

Now, I am no prophet, but it shouldn't take a prophet to make this observation: When the cops become the robbers, the innocent people have only a short time to remove that corruption from their midst. And, if we are honest, we will have to admit that we have tolerated the cops being the robbers for far too long now. And I'm not talking about our police when I use the word "cop" in this analogy, for most of our policeman and sheriffs are doing their jobs when those above them will allow it. No, the "cops" I am talking about exist at many state and most federal levels, and they are out of control. If we are wise, we will start doing something about it right now.

 

But what can we do? What happens when our avenue of voting to enact change has been compromised? Well, the first thing we need to do is pray. The next thing we need to do is contact our representatives - it might just be that there a still a few who have not gone over to the other side. The final "thing" we can do is "the right thing"? You might be wondering what that "right thing" is, but our kids know. We knew what the right thing to do was when we were young. When the cop became the robber, you stopped playing the game. It is time, I believe, for us to stop playing games and start insisting that the corruption comes to an end. It won't be easy, but as the Israelites found out many years ago, if we do not do something, then God will. And I doubt very seriously that we will find that His way of taking care of the sin that we were responsible for will be something that many of us can bear.

 

I know that this article is not a "fun" one today, but it isn't intended to be. Christians have been silent for too long, and the bill for that silence is coming due - right now! Our nation's chief law enforcement agency really did just file a lawsuit to force a state to aid and abet criminal activity. This is but one instance of their crossing that line between being a cop and being a robber in recent years. The cop really has become the robber. This happened in Germany in the 1930's and it resulted in a world war in the 1940's. Do you think it will end up any better for we in our modern times... if we do nothing?

 

The good news is still that we are going to Heaven if we choose to obey God's terms. Let's make sure that our children have the same opportunity to make that same choice. It won't be easy - the easy ship left the harbor long ago. But we have it to do, so let's get started. We can start where God has always required His children begin: With repentance and prayer.  

 

 

A Life and Death Choice

"Whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the LORD. But whoever fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death."

Proverbs 8: 35-36, NIV

 

If offered the choice between a life of favor or a life of harm that ends in death, most of us would find the choice very easy: we would choose life every time. Or so we might think, for this is the offer that wisdom presents to all of God's creation, but so few people will actually take the time to pursue wisdom. As a result of rejecting God's wisdom, they harm themself and literally love death.

 

The Proverbs are interesting, because here more than anywhere else we learn of the beauty of God's wisdom. Within this book we find that wisdom protects, and that wisdom allows us to see what to do in some very difficult situations. We also are told that it is the fear of the LORD that is the beginning of both knowledge and wisdom. But what is wisdom? Isn't it the same thing as knowledge? The answer to this is that they are not the same, that knowledge is an awareness of what the facts are, while wisdom gives us the ability to use those facts.

 

This ability to properly use facts is critical to our everyday lives. There are some who are very good at gathering evidence, but they are lousy at using it or even of coming to reasonable conclusions. A prime example of this is the "Theory of Evolution". Some of the most intelligent people ever have looked at the fossil records, the different layers of soil, and the subtle differences between some of the animals and they have concluded that it is all a result of a random accident rather than the result of the intelligent design of a loving Creator. This is the equivalent of a four-year-old observing her mother shopping at the store for various ingredients, getting out a recipe book and measuring devices, mixing these ingredients together, putting them in a pan, placing them in an oven that is set to an exact temperature, pulling the pan out after an exact amount of time, allowing the results to cool, mixing together a pink, delicious substance which mother allows her to taste, and then being sent off to bed for a nap before the baking is decorated.

 

Then, upon waking from her nap, the tot views the beautifully frosted cake and decides that it must have just "happened" by some strange and wonderful accident. Now, even a four-year-old should know better, but when scientists under the extreme peer pressure of their world of their fellow scientists in the world of science in which they live, all conclude after careful and scientific examination that this incredible world in which we live just "happened", then what are we to conclude? Perhaps I am naive and superstitious like they will claim, but my conclusion is that the world was intelligently designed by an intelligent Creator and that this Creator is the God we read of in the Bible.

 

They use their knowledge in one way, and I use my knowledge in another, but I am firmly convinced that they have misused their knowledge because they have not combined it with wisdom. As a result, they and their followers do all sorts of harm because they reason that there is no God and therefore there are no standards by which to live except for those that they decide upon. And since men's standards are ever shifting with the situations that they find themselves in, they never have a fixed standard. So, abortion and sexual deviancy are bad in one era, and these same things are considered virtuous in another. These paragons of intellect end of harming themselves and everyone they come in contact with because they refuse the benefits of wisdom because wisdom is a direct result of fearing the LORD, and as a result, they cannot properly assimilate true knowledge which has its source in that same fear of God.

 

That's a long way around the barn to say this: We need to be reading the Bible, for God is the only source of true wisdom that will allow us to properly handle the knowledge that He freely gives us. Those who do not read and accept the Bible are, by the strictest definition of God's Word, fools! This is not my conclusion; it is a clearly stated principle contained in God's Word. Fools are dangerous because they cannot properly handle the knowledge that is critical for them to please God and to survive. In effect, those who reject God's wisdom love death. This is the inescapable conclusion of the passage above.

 

But for those who will seek out the knowledge and the wisdom that God freely offers to all of His beloved creation, there is favor and life. And given the choice between favor or harm, and between life or death, the choice seems an easy one to make. But you have to have wisdom to make that choice, or you will never see, and you will eventually lose your life because of that blindness. But, for those who will choose wisdom and life, the life you have chosen is pretty good indeed. And then, there will be Heaven! This is why we read the Bible!

 

Is it a Virtue or a Vice to Be a Prepper?

Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways and be wise. Without having any chief, officer or ruler, she prepares her food in summer, and gathers her sustenance in the harvest. How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep?

Proverbs 6:6-9, RSV

 

We all know of Jesus' warnings to not build bigger barns for the purpose of taking it easy for the rest of our lives, as do we know His teachings concerning the vice of worrying about our daily food and clothing. However, sometimes we go too far and get a type of welfare mentality that ends up with an expectation for God to do all of the work. In other words, we not only want to be the bird that God provides food for (a proper desire) but we also want Him to throw the worms into our nests so we don't have to arise early and get them ourselves (a most improper attitude, to say the least).

 

The fact is that God has always condemned sloth but has praised industry. He desires His servants to be workers. The part that He condemns is when they take that industriousness too far and think that they are somehow providing everything they need for themselves without a proper acknowledgement that all of our blessings - including the opportunity to work - comes directly from Him. The reason that this distinction is so important is that it allows us to become productive citizens, while at the same time fulfilling our requirement to trust God.

 

One of the things that I have enjoyed most about living in a small agricultural community is that people seem to understand this. They raise their children to do "chores" and they have a punishment and reward system that encourages compliance. In this way, they are accomplishing God's desire that we train up our children in the way they should go. After all, we want them to be self-sufficient so that they will not have to rely on the handouts of strangers. 

 

Now for the point abut prepping: There can be no question that people can go too far in storing up goods for the future. If they are not careful, they will begin to rely on themselves and their possessions instead of God for their daily bread. This is a foolish and dangerous attitude. On the other hand, God uses the example of the ant to help teach us what is acceptable and expected. The ant works hard while the work is there. They do so because God has given them sense enough to realize that summer food is not always available in the winter. So the ant stores up for the winter each and every summer. Failing in this, the colony will die.

 

But it is also instructive to understand what the ant does not do: It does not store up food for the following summer, nor does it store up food for many winters to come. It just does what is needed. God, in His wisdom has programmed the ant to do this and he has even used the ant as an example of prudence and foresight. The question is do we see this? Do we understand the difference between doing what needs to be done so that we can serve God to the best of our ability, and hoarding God's bounty so that we can sleep away the rest of our lives in luxury and ease?

 

The fact is that God does want us to contemplate the present times and the future in order that we might make proper plans. He wants us to be trusting and prudent at the same time. Our problem, then, is one of balance. We have to be on guard against the mentality that trusts in one's stores of goods instead of God. At the same time, we have to make sure that we are taking care of business to the point that we will have enough to continue to serve God and even help others during the bad times.

 

This balance can be tricky, but with God's help it can be achieved. Sometimes all we have to do is go to God's creation, observe them and learn. Some people don't seem to have the sense that God gave an ant. Our duty is to make sure that we are using the common sense and wisdom that He has given to man! 

The Omnipresence of God

The ways of a man are before the eyes of the LORD, and He watches all his paths,

Proverbs 5:21, NASB

 

Have you thought much about the omnipresence of God and what it really means to us? God literally is capable of seeing everything we do - good or bad. This particular passage is in the middle of a set of instructions that warn us about the sin of adultery. In it, the Lord reminds the adulterer that everything we do is in plain sight of God.

 

Think about that for a moment. When we sin and are aware that we are sinning, we don't want anyone to know what we are doing. This is especially true with a sin that is consequential as adultery. In our modern world of "gopros'' and security cameras, we understand all too well that someone might be watching. It aggravates us to know that that someone has installed a camera to monitor whether we stopped at a redlight, but it comforts us to know that our "ring doorbell" allows us to see any suspicious activity going on outside our front doors.

 

In a like manner, understanding the omnipresence of God will make us either comfortable or uncomfortable, depending on what activity we happen to be involved with. The solution, at least for those who are wise, is to stop doing things that you are ashamed of and don't want to be caught in. It may anger some that God can see everything, but we must know that He does everything for our benefit - even to the point of monitoring our bad behavior. And though I think most of us would be quick to agree that we don't think it is the business of our government or some nosey neighbor to be spying on us with unseen eyes, this cannot be our attitude towards God. He is always there, and He is always watching. And He always has the right to do so.

 

But why does He watch? Have you ever wondered about that? Well, why does a manager watch a new employee when they are training? He does so to make sure that they do not make a mistake that might cost the company money, but he also watches for the safety of the new worker. Some jobs are dangerous, and there is comfort in knowing that someone knows if you are doing something that might be too risky so that they can steer you away from serious problems. Managers also observe our behavior because they are looking for people who might be a detriment to the company and who therefore might need to be let go. But they are also looking for people who are excelling in order that they might promote and reward them.

 

God is doing the same thing, only He does not have any of the fallibilities that men may possess. This life is very much a training ground, but it is also a proving ground. God gives us ample opportunity to learn His ways so that we might walk in them. He also expects us to grow, so we need to be making progress. Why? The answer might surprise some, but not those who are familiar with the Bible. It is because God rewards excellence! I am not suggesting that we are going to earn our salvation, for anyone with even a modest understanding of God's Word will understand that you cannot do that. But He still rewards good behavior. Now this concept will offend some, but that is because they are unfamiliar with God's teachings. Just do a Bible search of the word "reward" sometime and you will see.

 

God's reward is always associated with a man's conduct, but so too is his punishment. This is a large part of the reason that God is always watching us, but there is something more to His omnipresence that should comfort us all. That something is just this: He knows when we need Him! Just think about it for a moment: When we pray for God to help us have a safe trip, God can see us on that trip. Who knows how many times He has intervened for our safety because He is seeing the dangers we face? Or how about when we pray for those whose health we are concerned about? Or how about when we have a friend or family member who might be going astray and are praying for God's assistance?

 

It is true that He will not always intervene in the way that we had in mind, but isn't it comforting to know that He will act in the perfect way every time? One of the things that we must always keep in perspective is that we are servants of God. It is not the other way around, even though there are those who would pray to God as if they were giving orders to an underling. When we pray it has to be with the understanding that His will in every situation is perfect, so we need to be praying with the firm desire that His will be done. Even Jesus prayed for God's will on that fateful evening in the garden, and even though God did not grant Jesus' request that the cup be passed from Him, God did fulfill Jesus' request that God's will be done and not His own.

 

And God's will is perfect, wouldn't you agree? This is why it is a good thing that He is always watching, being always aware of what we need, and always being willing to supply those needs in the very best way possible. It is good that God sees us when we are struggling with the temptation to sin, because He has the ability to rescue us from those temptations. It is good that God sees us when we have needs - whether physical or spiritual, that only He can supply.

 

There is on final point that should be made. It is good that God is always attentive to the prayers of the righteous, but it is critical for us to understand one other truth about His omnipresence: When we separate ourselves from Him because of our sin, He tells us that He will not hear, and He will not help (Isaiah 59:1-2). It is not because He cannot - it is because He will not. And this is not because He doesn't love us anymore; rather, it is because sin separates us from that help. We can come back to Him and restore that precious fellowship anytime we choose to repent, but until then, we will find ourselves outside of God's protection. And when that is the case, we will miss God's watching over us and seeing everything we do... and we will want it back! 

 

Have you ever considered the omnipresence of God? If not, it is time to start - and time to be grateful for this great gift!   

There's Treasure Everywhere!

My son, if you accept My words and store up My commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you will call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver

and search for it as for hidden treasure,

then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.

Proverbs 2:1-5, 1978 NIV

 

I love the old cartoon strip, "Calvin and Hobbes". For those of you familiar with this comic, you know that it follows the adventures of a little boy named Calvin, and his stuffed tiger, Hobbes. In one scene, we find Clavin, wearing a safari hat, digging a large hole. Hobbes asks Calvin if he has found anything and Calvin replies, "a few dirty rocks, a weird root and some disgusting grubs". Hobbes exclaims, "On your first try?" Calvin responds with the classic line that only a true boy or girl could identify with: "There's treasure everywhere".

 

This is the way God's world is, though we adults tend to forget it as we grow older. The exciting thrills that appear around each corner of youth just seem to fade into a kind of bored cynicism as we age. I was reminded of the exuberance of youth just the other night when we were outside the church building after worship, and somebody discovered a tarantula on the side of wall. A guy named Guy knocked it down and picked it up for my grandkids (aged two and three) to see. The kids dashed back and forth, first approaching the terrifying spider, then running away, all the time roaring with squeals of delight. They were alive to the fullest at that moment, drinking in all of the simple pleasures that God's wonderful nature had to offer. 

 

My grandson turns four tomorrow but received a bicycle for his birthday already. He was one happy young man standing beside his green bike with his new helmet strapped to his head! But as happy as he was, it was nothing in comparison to the few short minutes of unexpected joy that he and his little sister had displayed when they had a chance to touch that hairy-legged creature (the tarantula, not their dad) just an evening prior. 

 

But it's not just my grandkids who have this gift, as I have noticed that the art of finding treasure everywhere seems to be universal amongst children everywhere. They always seem to have their heads and a swivel and their eyes wide open as they walk through life. They are always looking for that next treasure, and because they are looking, they always seem to find it. It doesn't matter if it's an old rock or a weird root or even a tarantula spider, they live a life of excitement because that's the way God has designed them.

 

And, if we keep our eyes open as we age, we too will find that there is treasure everywhere!

 

In no area of life is this more true than within the pages of God's Word. As the wise King Solomon noted, it is the source of insight, understanding, wisdom and, best of all, the fear of the LORD and the knowledge of God! It is these spiritual blessings that will turn our lives into a wonderous adventure on a daily basis - if we will allow it. But Solomon goes on to reveal that these blessings do not just happen: They are available only to those who will search for them like they would for hidden treasure.

 

So, a wise person will ask himself, "Am I searching?" Am I desirous enough for virtues such as wisdom and knowledge that I would be willing to exert the effort required to find them? The fact is that most people grow older, but few seem to grow wiser. Why is that? I believe it is for the same reason that we fail to see the treasure that our kids can readily see in the everyday gifts that God sets before us. When was the last time you "giggled with glee" over something as silly as the discovery of a large, hairy-legged spider? When was the last time you held in your hand a rock that made the joy of your day complete? I realize that we are far too mature for such childish things, but there are a million others just waiting for us to enjoy if we will take the time to look.

 

There are the beautiful sunrises for those who get up early, and the skies filled with stars for those who stay up late. There is the awesome effect of a glistening rain shower that appears on rare occasions on some sunny days. There is the joy of living vicariously through the eyes of ears of your grandchildren, and there is the exhilaration you feel at the cry of a Blue Jay. There are treasures everywhere... for those who will take the time to notice.

 

I believe this is why God has given us so much to experience in His creation, and I know it is why He has given us the wonder of His Word. As I grow older, I find myself more and more amazed at the gifts He has placed within the pages of the Bible. I see a world that is falling apart for those living outside of His instruction, but I see a world of opportunity and hope for those who are trying to live within the bounds of His ways. But the requirement for finding treasure is the same - whether as a child digging in his yard, or as an adult reading in God's word. 

 

And what is this requirement? We have to be willing to put in the effort! And, we have to have our eyes and our hearts open! If we will do these things, I am convinced that life will become what God has always intended for it to be: An exciting search that contains a marvelous treasure at the end. The only thing we have to do is recognize the fact that God has treasures awaiting all of His children, if they will simply put in the effort needed to find it.