Some May Trust in Chariots

Some May Trust in Chariots 

by David Brenneman 

"Some praise their chariots and some their horses, But we will praise the name of the Lord, our God."

It's an amazing collection of songs and music in my head.  That oftentimes something comes to the surface when either God's telling me something or is using it to "stir you up by way of reminder" as it's written in 2 Peter 1.

We need reminders. We have brains easily distracted.  Sure we laugh at dogs that in a split second go from paying attention to you, to being ready to run after a squirrel. 

We are also easily drawn down the wrong path of trusting in people whom we honestly know nothing, Spiritually, about.  Television, radio, internet preachers are probably the most difficult to know personally.  Those who write books, create video blogs, write blogs are right up there.

When you examine what you investigate concerning them, do you find yourself tempted to raise them up on a pedestal of your life?

I have made that mistake more often than I care to admit.  I've come to understand that THAT is what is meant in Scripture as giving the glory due to God alone to another. 

There's such a thing as a healthy respect for someone and then there is crossing the line into various degrees of worship of them.  

Admiration is one thing, but when we start down the path to looking more to these people rather than to God then there's a significant problem.  

In our lives as Believers, we are to follow Andrew's example. Point people to Jesus Christ. God indeed uses people to help us in our lives but never with the intent of us latching onto them as some sudo-Savior in our darkest hour.  

Some indeed do put too much emphasis on what someone has done for them and inadvertently turn that into a very unhealthy relationship.  

Scripture says in Romans 12 not to think more highly of ourselves than we ought to. In that same line of thinking we should not encourage others to do it as well.  We should not because it's encouraging people towards sharing that glory that only belongs to God with a human being.  We will inevitably be causing someone to stumble in their faith and cause them to think more highly of themselves.

We are indeed warned concerning to not be the cause of someone stumbling.  That we should keep a healthy focused relationship with Jesus Christ alone. 

God is to be our all in all. We are to indeed take Peter's words to heart and stir one another up by way of reminder.  To also not cause other to think of others more highly than they ought to.  

I get honestly discouraged to hear of people lavishing praise on people when it's plainly obvious that no it wasn't them, it was God.  Paul and Barnabus had at least one occasion where they had people trying to raise them up above others because of the work of God manifested in them. 

I indeed like Dr. David Jeremiah. I indeed like Dr. Michael Youseff. But as they are indeed people whom I will likely never get to know personally, I ought not take them strictly at their word, but ought to compare what they say to the Word of God.

We live in a world of videos on everything imaginable. We still should compare in everything that's said to the Word of God. 

We place ourselves in danger of putting our trust somewhere other than God. 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart And in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. 

It's ok, in my opinion, to be inspired by others who have done what we consider great things. I have been inspired by many in my walk with Jesus to remain true to my relationship with Him.  I have been inspired by various inventors. Their personal lives leave a lot to be desired. I do not publicly or privately lift them up in my heart and mind.  

It's a great thing to be inspired in a positive direction and way.  It's not when we, without self-control in that excitement go off and don't realize we have begun to worship them.  That they have become something of an idol. 

The most important of points of view in life is to only lift up the name of Jesus. 

Inevitably people will in some way let you down. People will indeed show themselves to be flawed. Companies are flawed. Governments are flawed. Politicians are certainly flawed. 

When you look at your life, do you have a healthy view on other's who have had an impact on your life?  Even Paul and Barnabus had great difficulty in persuading the people not to worship them. I imagine Peter and John had similar experiences.  Look at the history of certain denominations that have raised up Mary to a place she isn't in God's plan or purpose. 

The only Author and Perfecter of our faith is Jesus. The only one who deserves all of the honor, praise and worship for what He's done in our lives is Jesus. I love that song by Passion Conferences called "What He's Done". 

"See on the hill of Calvary

My Savior bled for me
My Jesus set me free
And look at the wounds that give me life
Grace flowing from His side
No greater sacrifice

What He's done
What He's done
All the glory and the honor to the Son
My sins are forgiven
My future is Heaven
I praise God for what He's done

Sing for the freedom He has won
Even death is dead and done
His life has overcome
Speak, say the Name above all names
Over every broken place
He is risen from the grave

What He's done
What He's done
All the glory and the honor to the Son
My sins are forgiven
My future is Heaven
I praise God for what He's done

Now on a throne of majesty
The Father's will complete
He reigns in victory
Sing hallelujah to the King
He is worthy to receive
All the worship we can bring

What He's done
What He's done
All the glory and the honor to the Son
My sins are forgiven
My future is Heaven
I praise God for what He's done

What He's done
What He's done
All the glory and the honor to the Son
My sins are forgiven
My future is Heaven
I praise God for what He's done
I praise God for what He's done"

People may indeed impress, positively impact, aide us, come along side of us but every good thing happening in our lives is because of what He's done. Every lesson learned, every dark hour we have been pulled through is because of what He's done. All glory and honor to the Son.