THINGS THAT WILL FAIL US
"Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." (Hebrews 13:5). Here we are taught total dependence upon God because he will never fail us. There are many things upon this earth in which people trust that will fail us.
1. Human Wisdom. Human wisdom is a marvelous thing in so many areas of endeavor. The comforts of health we enjoy due to human wisdom are remarkable. There are limits, however, to human wisdom. Man cannot direct his steps spiritually. "There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death" (Proverbs 14: 12). Men in their wisdom think that they can solve all human problems on this earth but each year people who trust in science, philosophy and psychiatry get into more problems, heartaches, and despair. Paul, in showing the efficacy of the gospel said, "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent" (1 Corinthians1:18, 19). So when it comes to serving God we are not wise enough to figure it out for ourselves. We must humble ourselves to the will of Christ if we expect to be saved. The gospel is the power of God to save men - not human wisdom (Romans 1: 16).
2. Our Physical Strength. Some think that by their physical might they can get what they want, have the things they desire, and solve any problems. There comes a time when physical strength fails. We grow old and disease sets in. Sometimes sins that men engage in saps their strength. David said, "For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing; my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed" (Psalms 31:10). We have physical strength as a blessing but our souls are even more important than our bodies. When Nebuchadnezzar said that by his might and power he had built his kingdom the Lord drove him from men until seven times passed over him. This was to teach him that the Lord God rules in the kingdoms of men, and gives them to whosoever He wills (Daniel 4:25-32). Man's strength is nothing in comparison to God's strength. To depend upon human physical strength and not obey God is disastrous (Matthew 16:26).
3. Earthly Possessions. Earthly possessions can be great blessings here but at the time of death we leave them all behind. "For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content." (I Timothy 6:7,8). Money or possessions does not buy salvation. Salvation can only be had through the blood of Jesus Christ (Matthew 26:28; Revelation 1 :5, 6).
4. Kinfolks can also fail us. Job said, "He hath put my brethren far from me, and mine acquaintance are verily estranged from me" (Job 19: 13). Jesus points out that "He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me" (Matthew 10:37). Here the Lord shows the folly of trusting earthly kin rather than trusting in the Lord. Our kinfolks are near and dear to us but they should not stand in the way of our serving Christ. They can go with us to the time of death but they will not be able to go with us through death and into eternity. We must have the Lord as our Shepherd to get safely through this (Psalms 23).
5. Friends here often fail us. David said, "I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul" (Psalms 142:4). Fair weather friends fail us when the going gets rough. However we can have refuge in the Lord. "I cried unto thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living" (Psalms 142:5).
6. The Teachings of men will fail us. We might have confidence in some man's scholarship but men have feet of clay. God said, "In vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrine the commandments of men" (Matthew 15:9). Men taught in Christ's day that the people obligated to honor father and mother by caring for them could say that the part that belonged to parents was a gift of God and not care for their parents. Jesus said, "Ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition." (Matthew 15:4-6). This is only one example of many ways the teachings of men make void God's commands. Men today say we are saved by "faith only" when James 2: 17 states, "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead. being alone." Men say that anything you do is worship but Jesus said, "God is a spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth." (John 4:24). It is absurd to think that anything in worship pleases God. He directs us in his word as to how to worship.
The conclusion of all this is that God is the only one who will not fail us. The only safe guide is the inspired word of God. (2 Timothy 3: 16, 17). It was given by the Holy Spirit through the apostles and prophets. It is the truth that will set us free (John 8:32). It is the message of God through Jesus Christ. Christ gave us the New Testament (Hebrews 10:9, 10). God now speaks to us by Jesus Christ and Christ speaks to us by the New Testament gospel. (Hebrews 1: 1-3). "Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip." (Hebrews 2:1). "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him." (Hebrews 2:3). - C. D.