In God We Trust

In God We Trust

Psalm 20:7

June 29, 2003

BACKGROUND:

A. Remember July 4th celebrations as a time when this country had to make a choice. The choice was not much different than other situations throughout history.

1. One day in history: Pharaoh gathered 600 of his best chariots and chased the Israelites to the edge of the sea of reeds. You know the outcome. Exodus 14:6

2. One day in history: kings from all corners of the earth surrounded the Israelites. God told Joshua he would be victorious. Joshua 11:4

3. One day in history: Solomon had 1400 chariots and 12,000 horses. His problem was he loved many foreign women who convinced him to worship their gods. His kingdom was ripped from him. 1 Kings 10:26

4. One day in history: folks saw horses and men in red coats with muskets coming toward Bunker Hill that day in June 1775. These folks turned to God for help. It was a turning point in the Revolutionary War.

5. One day in history: on a Tuesday in September, two years ago, 11 men tried to use 4 airplanes as their chariots of terror. Thousands died. Millions gathered in churches and parks to pray.

6. One day in history: on a Thursday in March of this year, hundreds of thousands of troops went into a desert the size of CA. Their horses bore names like HumVee and Bradley. Their chariots were called B1B Stealth and Blackhawk. A nation prayed.

What do such days in history have in common? A choice of who or what to depend upon.

B. This nation is coming up on its 227th birthday. The original “birthday card” had a last line that read: “And for the support of this Declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.” The card was signed by 56 men in Philadelphia.

C. When tragedy becomes terror, or turmoil turns to war, we turn to God. Too often, we turn away once the crisis has passed. We forget the Bible provides clear guidance on how to choose freedom or captivity. When the foundations are being destroyed, when we are blinded by all manner of sin, the Bible says choose freedom through your Lord God.

Read Psalm 20:7

INTRODUCTION:

A. The paradox between horses and chariots or God is seen in our $1 bill. Take out a bill and look at it; if you don’t have a bill, the ushers will give you one.

1. Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see (Heb.11:1). Most folks have never seen the gold or silver that backs the dollar, yet we are sure the $1 bill will buy something. We have never seen God, yet by faith we are certain He exists.

2. Hope is put in the Lord, now and forevermore (Psalm 131:3). Our hope resides in the fact that God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. We hope the $1 bill we pull out of our wallet will be good tomorrow.

3. Love is not in word or tongue, but by our actions and in truth (1 John 3:18). Few would admit to loving money, but their actions testify otherwise. Believers love God with all their heart, mind, and soul.

B. It seems that the more $1 bills one has, the more they rely on horses and chariots. This $1 bill does remind us of 4 ways of how we are to trust in God:

Trust in His Name

Trust in His Word

Trust in His Promise

Trust in His Power

1. TRUST IN HIS NAME

• The back of $1 bill reads “In God We Trust”. Our founding Fathers understood its meaning. Today there are many dark forces trying to remove that statement from more than just currency; they want it removed from our hearts and minds.

• Authentic Christians trust in the Name; by faith they know “Name-brand” quality. Unbelievers buy the cheap imitations.

• Illustration: One warm, sunny day I was walking down a street in Tijuana, Mexico. A man approached and asked, “Senor, you want to buy a Rolex watch?” I asked how much. He said, “$10 American.” These imitation Rolex’s did not have the reliability, accuracy, or durability of the real thing.

• The Word, Jesus Christ, God, became flesh and dwelled among us (John 1:14). In Him was the light that shines in the darkness (v 5). Those who believe in His name are given the right to become children of God. (v 12).

• So what will you choose? Horses and chariots or the Name.

2. TRUST IN HIS WORD

• The “One Dollar” printed on a $1 bill are words that define the worth of the money. They not only inform you of the value, anyone who is handed the bill knows what it is worth by these words.