"An Arm of Flesh"

"Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD." (Jer.17:5)

I saw a caption in the paper this morning and was reminded of this warning from the book of Jeremiah.

The caption read: "Small-town USA hangs expectations on Obama"

How tragic! Once again many Americans are trusting in mortal, fallen man to save them!
We as a nation continue to place our confidence in those who are like us, in those who we believe will bring us prominence, material wealth, and fleshly comfort.

We never seem to grasp this overriding truth, "The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God." (Psa. 9:17)

We believe that we can continue to reject God and His precepts in order to follow our own desires. We believe that this is the path that leads to life and happiness.
The way of man has always seemed right in his own eyes.

I thought back to the desire of Israel for a king, a king like the surrounding nations had who would judge them and lead them.
As Samuel prayed, concerning this request, God responded, "...Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them." (1Sam.8:7)

After this request is granted, Samuel later tells them, "Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.
But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king."
(1Sam.12:24-25)

What do I glean from these words of instruction? I learn that if a people turns from God, no "arm of flesh" will be able to finally deliver them.

Our nation has turned from God and is leaning to its own understanding as it seeks a deliverer in a fallen son of Adam.

Again, how tragic! We have forsaken the Prince of Glory, the fountain of living waters for a broken cistern.

Will we ever awaken? I pray that that we will be awakened. But, whether we are or not, this one thing is sure, God has the final word!
He has determined who the ruler of heaven and earth is and shall forever be. This has not and will not be decided by sinful men or electoral colleges.
This inauguration has been settled from all eternity!

It is proclaimed in Isa.9:6-7, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgement and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this."

I must not trust in an "arm of flesh". I must trust in the almighty "arm of the LORD".

"O SING unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory." (Psa.98:1)