February 16, 2003, SM: False Hope

February 16th, 2003, Sunday Morning

"False Hope"

Put your trust and confidence in God--not men in leadership positions

(A compare-contrast to the potential 2003 U.S.-Iraq war)

OPENING: Psalm 33:13-22

INTRODUCTION:

Today, Sunday, February 16th, 2003, Iraq gloated over the global outpouring of opposition to the U.S. threat of attack, saying anti-war demonstrations in dozens of countries signaled an Iraqi victory and "the defeat and isolation of America." Several million people (five-HUNDREDTHS of one percent of the six billion people in the world, presently) protested across the world yesterday against the United States of America
Concurrently, in a special weekend briefing for U.S. Congressmen, it was reported they came out of the meeting shaken by what they had heard about the threats against America.
We are currently living in the days of some of the most difficult decisions that can ever be made. The great danger we face in this is of false hope.

OUR CONFIDENCE IS NEVER TO BE IN OUR LEADERS AND OUR MILITARY MIGHT

It is normal for us to trust that our leaders and military power will protect us from all harm
- 1991 Gulf War: CNN reported events like Americans were watching a daily movie on T.V.--and to many it almost seemed not real because of the distance away; Americans were not in danger
- 9-11: While it occurred on our soil, to 99% of the country, it was physically a great distance away
  - Other than 9-11, all of our American-involved conflicts have been very distant and thus seemingly unreal
The psalmist tells us that we are never safe just because we have a strong, mighty military
- Psalm 33:16: NOT IN SIZE; a king is not saved by numerical superiority of his mighty army
  - Battle of Arbela (close to Mosul, modern day Iraq) in the Autumn of 331: the Persian king, Darius III, used Arbela as his base before he marched to Gaugamela, where he was defeated by his Macedonian colleague, Alexander the Great, in October
    - The Persians numbered between half and one million men. They were defeated by Alexander's 50,000 men.
  - Napoleon: considered by many as one of the Anti-Christs, led more than half a million men into Russia where the terrible Winter left the entire army a mere wreck before even one battle--their leader soon a prisoner on the lone rock of St. Helena
  - Judges 6:5; Judges 7:2-7; Judges 7:25: NUMBERS MEAN NOTHING as proven by the Lord's use of Israel's Gideon against the oppressing Midianites:
    - ENEMY SIZE DEFINED: we see the enemy is numbered as, "grasshoppers for multitude..."
    - "ARMY ON GOD'S SIDE" SIZE DEFINED: 300 men
    - OUTCOME WHEN YOUR TRUST IS PUT IN GOD: not only victory but the capture of the enemy's leaders (princes, in this case)
    - (ASIDE: Judges 7:2: God brought Gideon's army down to 300 to show it was through God that Israel would win; otherwise, Israel would claim it was through it's own thousands of soldiers being the reason for its victory)
  - CONCLUSION: the strongest battalions melt like snowflakes when God is against them
- Psalm 33:17: NOT IN STRENGTH; a warrior is not delivered by his own strength or the power of his equipment
  - 1 Samuel 17:4-11; 1 Samuel 17:38-40; 1 Samuel 17:49-51: The classic (true) story of David and Goliath:
    - ENEMY STRENGTH: Nine foot tall plus full armour (a psychological threat, just in physical size!)
    - "DAVID ON GOD'S SIDE" SIZE: Shunned the "protective armour" of man, had no shield but just a stone from God's earth
    - OUTCOME WHEN YOU TRUST IN GOD: Not only did David win but caused the ripple-effect of the entire enemy's army to flee in fear
  - A horse (example of equipment) is a false hope of victory
    - In king David's day, a horse automatically gave you an advantage, just as army tanks give us today
    - Psalm 13:17; Psalm 20:7: Just as in BC times where men boasted of victory through horses and chariots (cavalry), today men boast and trust in missiles, fighter jets, and high-tech weapons. While stunning in use, they are a false hope of deliverance and indefinite protection
The reason current world events are escalating as they are is because this is God's will and plan--not because America's president and military leaders desire this
- Psalm 33:10: If God didn't want President Bush to consider military action against Iraq, God wouldn't allow it ... but notice He is
- Psalm 33:11: Nothing can stop God's counsel and plans
  - If God wants this conflict between the U.S. and Iraq to escalate to war, it will happen
  - No king, weapons, power, or peaceful diplomatic plans will prevent the will of God from unfolding--whether it be of peace or war
- God is not an inactive force in the world--while He is literally invisible to us who are alive, He is just as active and purposeful every day as Satan
Deuteronomy 32:8 and Acts 17:26: God not only blesses and gives people their inheritance but sets (and can change) their political/geographical boundaries
- From this, we can conclude God isn't One to look down at us and say, "Boy, I hope they figure this out and not mess up my world." God is actively involved in fashioning men their homes and lands!
ILLUSTRATION OF FALSELY TRUSTING IN MAN: Joshua 7:2-5: Joshua, trusting in his spies going to count the number of enemies rather than asking God if he should attack, relied on his spies' conclusion to attack just because the enemy was fewer in number. OUTCOME: Joshua lost because God meant for him to. (Why? Continue to read that chapter, to find out)
APPLICATION:
- 1 Peter 2:13-14: While we are not to trust or have our confidence in men/leaders but in God, we are to respect and follow the orders of those appointed over us (police, elected officials, the President, etc.)
  - Psalm 118:8 (center of the Bible): "It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man."
  - Daniel 2:20-21 and 1 Peter 2:17: Whether or not President Bush was elected by a majority of the people, he leads today. This is because God allowed and wanted this. Honor and obey President Bush because God placed him there
  - Proverbs 3:5: In addition to not putting confidence in men and leaders, don't rely on your own understanding, either! You must channel 100% of your trust in God--0% in yourself and in men
- 1 Timothy 2:1-3: In addition to accepting and obeying those appointed over us, we are to pray for them (and give thanks for them) so we may all live in peace

IN TIMES OF DANGER, THE LORD IS CAREFULLY WATCHING OVER HIS CHILDREN (the saved)

Remember that God has a purpose for your life and He is unfolding it in the midst of even international tensions
- Proverbs 16:9: You may make your own plans--from today until retirement. However, it is God that will direct your actual steps
- Proverbs 3:5-6: Therefore, life becomes much easier if you ask God for guidance and to make your plans for you, each day, you can be assured whatever happens, it's what God wanted for you
- Jeremiah 10:23: Declare to yourself as the prophets did--that man does not guide himself, rather God guides him
Days of evil don't distract the Lord's eyes from "you"; a special definition for "YOU", here:
- YOU = "those who fear God"
  - We do not live in fear of "weapons of mass destruction"
  - We do not live in fear of Al Qaeda or Osama Bin Laden
  - Nothing can happen to the USA that is not in accordance with God's plan
  - The key is to live in fear of the One who is the most powerful (the only One who can kill BOTH body and soul)
    - Luke 12:5: The only One (God) who can cast souls into hell
    - Matthew 10:28: Don't fear those who can only kill the body
  - Psalm 147:11 then Psalm 111:10: It pleases the Lord for you to fear him because, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" which leads to obedience to Him
- YOU = "those who hope/wait on God's lovingkindness"
  - Psalm 32:10: Those who trust in God receive mercy AND not sorrow
  - 1 Timothy 6:10-11: Don't put your patience, faith and hope in men, machinery or money (quoted here as, "the root of all evil); but rather invest in "patience"
The Lord provides in the most hopeless situation
- God can deliver (save) your soul from hell right now
- 2 Corinthians 12:9: God can keep you alive through famine but he won't take the famine from you for the purpose of showing His ability to strengthen and sustain you from anything the world attacks you with
ILLUSTRATION: Daniel 3:10-30: The (true) story of three men who would not bow to an idol, decreed by king Nebuchadnezzar. The king bound and threw them in an extra hot, fiery furnace. However, because they obeyed God--and not man--in not bowing to the king's idol, not only did the three men live, they didn't even have the smell of smoke in their clothes, upon exiting the furnace

THE PSALMIST GIVES US A THREE-FOLD RESPONSE DURING DAYS OF EVIL

Isaiah 40:31: Patience and waiting on God's timetable, not yours, has rewards: renewal of strength and shall not become weary or faint, spiritually
- You and I, as individuals, don't have the strength to change what happens, on a global scale; so just wait on the Lord for events to be decided and come to pass
- "Waiting," in this context, means to live today as if there will be a tomorrow but prepare for Christ's return today: do your job, take care of your family, serve the Lord, help those in need, ensure justice where you live, etc.

Rejoice

Psalm 2:11; Psalm 21:1; Psalm 32:11; Psalm 33:1; Psalm 35:9; Psalm 97:1; Psalm 97:12; Psalm 98:4; Psalm 118:24; Isaiah 25:9; Isaiah 29:19; Isaiah 61:10; Joel 2:23; Habakkuk 3:18; Zephaniah 3:17; Zechariah 10:7; Philippians 3:1; Philippians 4:4: It's God's will for us to rejoice in Him, always
- Psalm 66:1; Psalm 81:1; Psalm 95:1-2; Psalm 98:4; Psalm 98:6; Psalm 100:1: We are directed to make "joyful noises" to the Lord--this is why we sing in church
Even in these dark days (and every day) is the day to rejoice because everything God allows to happen in this world is a part of His overall plan. Again--nothing happens He does not allow
Our mood and attitude are not changes by circumstances of this world but by the truths of God's Word
The lost of the world may faint in fear, but we, the saved know God and thus understand all these events must come to pass and are therefore glad because it means the soon return of Christ to take us, the saved, away
Romans 8:28: A critical concept not easily understood--even by believers--in that "all things"--good and bad--work together for a common good for those who love God and realize God's call upon them for His good purposes

Trust means you don't need to understand or be told of God's rationale; you will never know all God is planning
Simply conclude without understanding that He will safely bring you home--no matter how bad it may seem
Matthew 1:21: Trust Him because the Bible plainly says the name Jesus, alone, means "he shall save his people from their sins."

CLOSER

Relying on what you see today in terms of weapons and technology and especially looking back at the United States' winning history in conflict--don't let it deceive you with false hope: trust in God and nothing history

Jeremiah 9:23: And even if it is true the United States has the mightiest military ever known and/or God is using the U.S. military to dispense justice upon others, we are never to glory and brag about our own strength (which makes you think: how will the U.S. react if we win quickly and decisively? Whether we win or lose against Iraq, all Americans should humble themselves before God)

What we see on the news is mostly biased and wrong; don't let it affect you. The entire world may be stacked against you but it means nothing if you simply put your trust in God and nothing else

CONSIDER: If God sent His only Son to die for you, why would He not love and be concerned for you every second of your life?