The Indispensable Man
One of America’s greatest citizens is slowly but
steadily approaching death’s door. He currently occupies an
intensive care unit where a handful of committed staff endeavor to
keep the oxygen flowing in the hopes that a recovery—if not full, at
least in part—is in his future. But the prognosis is not very
encouraging. Every improvement in his vital signs seems to be
followed by a serious setback, causing well-wishers to be tossed to
and fro between the extremes of optimism and discouragement. Those
who make it their business to keep tabs on his condition are amazed
at his resilience and fortitude in his fight for survival.
Any and all of his would-be biographers will discover
what his closest friends already know. He once played a vital role
in the founding of this nation, and has been the close companion of
many of its presidents. He was once a stalwart in the academic
world. His presence has graced the lecterns of higher learning as
well as the boardrooms of the corporate world. But his most noble
and notable contributions to our American culture have come through
the pulpits of its churches. In fact, most if not all Americans have
made his acquaintance at one time or another, and many have become
the beneficiaries of his benevolence.
It’s hard to believe this man could have enemies, but
indeed he does. On second thought, perhaps we should expect ill
feelings and animosity to rear their ugly heads whenever the sincere
collides with the sinister or the genuine meets the disingenuous. It
just seems to work that way. Perhaps you’ve already figured out who
this dear man is. Actually, he has gone by many names through the
centuries, but there is one all-encompassing name for which he is
best known—TRUTH!
In scriptural terms, truth made his entrance onto the
historical stage with these words: “Blessed be the Lord God of my
master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy
and his truth” (Genesis 24:27). These words came from Abraham’s
eldest servant, whom he sent to fetch a non-Canaanite wife for son
Isaac from his country and kindred (24:4). In this case, truth was
equivalent to the revealed will of God concerning Isaac’s bride. The
servant expressed humble gratitude for the providential mercies that
had brought the truth to light. The principle of “first mention” as
applied to biblical studies tells us that truth and the revealed
will of God are virtually synonymous concepts. If Jesus had answered
Pilate’s question “What is truth?” (John 18:38), the answer might
well have been these five words: “The revealed will of God!”
The second appearance of truth bears a strong
resemblance to the first. When Jacob received word that Esau his
brother was in route to meet him, he was overcome with fear, and
prefaced his request for deliverance with these words: “O God of my
father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, the Lord which saidst
unto me, Return to thy country, and to thy kindred, and I will deal
well with thee: I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and
of all the truth, which thou hast shown unto thy servant” (Genesis
32:9-12). Again, truth consisted of all that God had spoken by
promise and shown by providence. Jacob perceived that everything God
had revealed about his will was an act of mercy—the ever-present
companion of truth!
Truth is essential to the proper function of
government and the political process. Jethro offered these words of
wisdom to son-in-law Moses: “Moreover thou shalt provide out of all
the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating
covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands,
and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens”
(Exodus 18:20-21). Policy makers satiated with truth are men who
fear God. Their ability to make sound judgments on behalf of those
they lead is tied directly to their refusal to be influenced by the
almighty dollar. Contrariwise, politicians void of truth are
godless, lack the ability to lead aright, and sell their “ordinances
and laws” to the highest bidder. Which of these two political types
do you think is now dominating the governmental landscape in
Washington, D.C.?
Truth spoken from the heart is a requisite for
fellowship with God (Psalm 15:1-2). The God of redemption is a God
of truth (31:5). All of his works are done in truth (33:4). Truth
preserves God’s servants (40:11). Truth is a shield and a buckler
(91:4). God’s truth endures to all generations (100:5). Jesus was
full of grace and truth (John 1:14). Jesus is the truth (14:6). God
elects those who believe the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:13), but
failure to believe the truth brings damnation (2:12). The church is
the pillar and ground of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15). And while it
may seem improbable at the moment, one day Jerusalem will be called
a city of truth (Zechariah 8:3).
Truth—as it pertains to individuals and nations—is
indispensable! The future viability of America depends on this man
called truth. Yet our nation has pummeled him so severely that he is
currently on life support. May God encourage our hearts to pray
earnestly for his recovery. Our survival is impossible without his!
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