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In Jeremiah 17:5-8, God gives every person a critical choice: to place their trust in and dependence on mankind, or to do so to Him. Although verses 7 and 8 proclaim the perfect providence, resilient peace, and bountiful blessings of choosing the latter, many people instead select the former. Rather than placing their faith in their omniscient, omnipotent, and loving Creator who promises to perfectly care for them, these people instead trust in themselves, others, or the government for provision, protection, and social change. While adherents to this option believe it is the more logical and realistic one, the Scriptures' truths and examples reveal how trusting in anything but God ultimately brings severe consequences.
Among the most notable examples of this is recorded in 1 Samuel 8. Here, the Israelites, desiring a political system resembling those of their pagan neighbors, demanded a king. Verses 19-20 reveal that the people made this request because they desired a manmade government to judge over them, fight their wars, and provide protection. Furthermore, God explained to Samuel how the people's request was a rejection of Him as their King, despite everything He had done for them and their ancestors through His perfect power and providence. While God permitted the Israelites to establish a monarchy, the severe repercussions of this decision not only affected them, but also their descendants for many generations.
The results of this fateful placement of trust reveal the horrific consequences of relying on mankind over God. For example, doing so opened their hearts to unspeakable levels of spiritual decay. This became obvious throughout the books of 1 and 2 Kings, where the majority of Israel's and Judah's kings were unbelievably evil rulers who led their people to completely reject God through promoting detestable immorality and idol worship. Another consequence that came from them trusting in mankind was a severely damaged witness. By becoming and behaving like their pagan neighbors, the Israelites rejected their responsibility to demonstrate God's love and faithfulness to unbelievers. One other consequence that came to Israel for trusting in man over God was being devastated by mankind's fallibility. A notable instance of this was when the Philistines killed King Saul and overtook Israel in 1 Samuel 31, where the king failed to provide the lasting protection Israel sought from him. Furthermore, the Israeli monarchy's moral, providential, and protective failures eventually culminated with Israel's decimation and Judah's captivity. Thus, as this Biblical example clearly demonstrates, trusting in ourselves, other people, or a government brings spiritual ruination, hinders us from exemplifying Christ, and leaves us vulnerable to man's fallibility.
Conversely, the Scriptures repeatedly prove the many benefits that come from depending on God. For example, doing so places us in His infallible providence. 1 Kings 17 beautifully proves this with Elijah, who, despite being a helpless refuge in the wilderness, was miraculously cared for by God through Him using ravens to bring sustenance and supernaturally extending a widow's food. Another benefit that comes from trusting God over mankind is spiritual resilience. This was repeatedly demonstrated by the prophets and the Apostles, who, despite the horrific circumstances and brutal persecutions they experienced, were sustained in their faith by Him and thus remained faithful witnesses amid their trials. A third benefit that comes from trusting Him for our needs is the ability to receive His blessings. Among the Scripture's best examples is Ruth, whose commitment to God allowed Him to provide her with sustenance, shelter, a loving husband, and children. A final benefit from trusting God over man is a spiritually fruitful life. The Apostle Paul provides the best example of this through his reliance on God's strength, which enabled him to plant multiple churches, win countless souls to Christ, and contribute multiple books to the Bible. Thus, when we solely place our trust in God, He enables us to receive His perfect providence, protection, blessings, and fruitfulness.
While trusting in ourselves, others, or a government appeals more to our logic than trusting in Whom we cannot see, the former only provides a temporary solution that ultimately ends in spiritual devastation and providential failure. Conversely, while placing our trust in God's unshakable foundation does not guarantee a trouble-free life, it puts us in the perfect care of our loving and omnipotent Father. It is through depending on this perfect providence that allows Him to protect our hearts and bodies, further our spiritual growth, bestow His blessings, and yield ceaseless fruit in our lives.
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