In God We Trust?

The phrase is as American as apple pie, "In God We Trust." It is a bold confession printed upon U.S. currency that declares our dependency upon a sovereign and all powerful God. A God whose eye is upon the sparrow and the grass of the field. If God so takes care of them, ought He not take care of us? That is the essence of this confession.

This week we have witnessed the largest bank to ever fail in U.S. history, Washington Mutual (WaMu). This is the capstone of a large line of failures in recent weeks and months. 13 banks have failed this year-to-date. Experts expect more to follow. The President and other government officials are now proposing a $700 BILLION bailout for our failing economy to prevent future failures and to stabilize the economy. The stock market is up one day and down the next. Families are foreclosing on their homes. Gas shortages are reported throughout the country. The storm surge of countless more economic woes threatens to breach the levies that have been designed to keep the waters out.

Indeed, the statement printed upon the backs of our dollar is beginning to look less and less like a confession, but more and more like a question. "In God We Trust?" would be a far more fitting statement for our currency. Indeed, perhaps the present economic crisis has revealed that "In God We Trust?" has been our true motto all along. Indeed, perhaps all along we have put far more of our trust in our jobs, our retirement plans, our captialist system, and our government than we have God Himself? Perhaps that is why presently we are so distressed over this predicament?

For instead of having looked unto the Lord as the source of all that we have, we have looked to other things. And I suspect, perhaps now, the Lord is using this economic shakeup to show us just how dependent upon things other than Him we have been. For if we have truly been dependent upon the Lord in times of prosperity, then perhaps the only increased inner turmoil we ought to experience during times of collapse, is the heavy burden we carry for the spiritually blind men of this generation who are drowning in the sea of distress? For the Lord changes not, and neither should we. For if we have truly been dependent upon the Lord, then we will recognize that the God who took care of us in good times will also take care of us in bad times.

Indeed, what have we ever received that we were not given? If He gave to us in the good times, then He will surely give to us in the bad times. God changes the economy-- it's not the other way around. So many Scriptures come to mind: God owns the cattle on a thousand hill... the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof... If God so clothes the grass of the field which is here today and gone tomorrow, how much more will He not clothe you... etc., etc.

Be sure, God is not a capitialist, nor is God a socialist. Be sure, God is not a republican, nor is God a democrat. Be sure, God is not voting for John McCain, nor is God voting for Barack Obama. Indeed, He may use any of these systems, parties, or politicians for various times and seasons so as to accomplish His eternal purposes. But in all these things you can be sure of one thing: God wants you to look unto Him as your sole source of salvation through it all. "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of the Lord endures forever..." There is only One who guarantees to be constant in a world of change.

So, moving forward, let "In God We Trust" become our confession, instead of a question.

Do we let mammon decide our priorities?? Where
does the treasure of our hearts and lives lie??
Here, in a world crumbling into ruin, in a
financial system sure to fail, or is our hope
securely hid and kept with God and in Christ??

It is interesting to see how these events shock us so much. I think part of the problem is that we haven't learned to really think Biblically. As Art Katz used to say from time to time to a congregation: "You are far too American." Instead of seeing a clock that is counting down in this world, to the end that all things that can be shaken will be shaken, we are much more optimistic that the world system will succeed. "Historically, in the long run, the stock market has always gone up!" While true, as investors are also fond to point out, past returns do not guarantee future returns. Yet, we act as if the show will go on forever, as if there will be no sudden violent end.

If we are so spiritually blind that we cannot recognize these things, so that when such events transpire, we are shocked, amazed, and taken off guard-- then how much more do these events show us that we are not prepared for the great and awesome day of the Lord, in which everything that can be shaken will be shaken, and that the elements will melt from fire? If we are not prepared for further financial market meltdowns, devastating hurricanes, etc., then how can we be prepared for the day of the Lord?