No one should trust in man or the government to save them. A man and a governing body is good so long as they believe in, trust in and obey GOD the FATHER. Without the LORD, nothing will ultimately succeed; be it relationships, families, governments or nations.
This is our example, the Lord Jesus Christ:
John 5:19
“Then answered Jesus and said unto them,
Verily, verily, I say unto you,
The Son can do nothing of Himself,
but what He seeth the FATHER do:
for what things soever HE doeth,
these also doeth the Son likewise.”
And this is Jesus speaking to us the same things:
John 15:4-11
“Abide in Me, and I in you.
As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself,
except it abide in the vine;
no more can ye, except ye abide in Me.
I am the vine,
ye are the branches:
He that abideth in Me,
and I in him,
the same bringeth forth much fruit:
FOR WITHOUT Me YE CAN DO NOTHING.
If a man abide not in Me,
he is cast forth as a branch,
and is withered;
and men gather them,
and cast them into the fire,
and they are burned.
If ye abide in Me,
and My words abide in you,
ye shall ask what ye will,
and it shall be done unto you.
Herein is My FATHER glorified,
that ye bear much fruit;
so shall ye be My disciples.
As the FATHER hath loved Me,
so have I loved you:
CONTINUE ye in My love.
If ye keep My commandments,
ye shall abide in My love;
even as I have kept
My FATHER’s commandments,
and abide in HIS love.
These things have I spoken unto you,
that My joy might REMAIN IN you,
and that your joy might be full.”
GOD doesn’t want us to trust in ourselves.
GOD wants us to trust in HIM.
This means we believe and obey HIM.
Jeremiah 17:5
“Thus saith the LORD;
Cursed be the man
that trusteth in man,
and maketh flesh his arm,
and whose heart departeth from the LORD.”
(flesh = flesh and blood = man)
(arm = strength)
Jeremiah 17:7
“Blessed is the man
that trusteth in the LORD,
and whose hope the LORD is.”
Trusting in our own strength or trusting in the strength of others instead of trusting in GOD is foolish. This is what the apostle Paul said about it and he is remembering that from the beginning of creation mankind sinned and brought the death penalty when we trusted in our own judgment and reasoning and rejected GOD’s council and HIS commandments.
2Corinthians 1:9
“But we had the sentence of death in ourselves,
that we should not trust in ourselves,
but in GOD which raiseth the dead”
Psalms 34:6-8
“This poor man cried,
and the LORD heard him,
and saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the LORD encampeth
round about them that fear HIM,
and delivereth them.
O taste and see that the LORD is good:
blessed is the man that trusteth in HIM.”
Psalms 40:3-4
“And HE hath put a new song in my mouth,
even praise unto our GOD:
many shall see it, and fear,
and shall trust in the LORD.
Blessed is that man
that maketh the LORD his trust,
and respecteth not the proud,
nor such as turn aside to lies.”
Psalms 52:8-9
“But I am like a green olive tree
in the house of GOD:
I trust in the mercy of GOD for ever and ever.
I will praise thee for ever,
because thou hast done it:
and I will wait on THY name;
for it is good before THY saints.”
Psalms 118:7-9
“The LORD taketh my part
with them that help me:
therefore shall I see my desire
upon them that hate me.
It is better to trust in the LORD
than to put confidence in man.
It is better to trust in the LORD
than to put confidence in princes.”
Judges 7:2
“And the LORD said unto Gideon,
The people that are with thee
are too many for ME
to give the Midianites into their hands,
lest Israel vaunt themselves against ME,
saying, mine own hand hath saved me.”
1Samuel 14:6
“And Jonathan said
to the young man that bare his armour,
Come, and let us go over
unto the garrison of these uncircumcised:
IT MAY BE THAT THE LORD WILL WORK FOR US:
for there is no restraint to the LORD
to save by many or by few.
Psalms 118:13-16
“ … but the LORD helped me.
The LORD is my strength and song,
and is become my salvation.
The voice of rejoicing and salvation
is in the tabernacles of the righteous:
the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.
The right hand of the LORD is exalted:
the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.”
And even though we are not to trust in our own strength, abilities and knowledge; this doesn’t mean that GOD does everything for us. We are required to do something. We are required to cooperate with GOD.
“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God,
that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day,
and having done all, to stand.”
We don’t take our own armor, but the LORD’s armor.
We don’t take man’s armor, but the LORD’s armor.
We don’t take our wisdom, but the LORD’s wisdom.
That’s exactly what David did when he went out against Goliath.
King Saul tried to get David to wear his armor.
David put it off because it was not tested; it was not of GOD.
David knew by experience that GOD was able to work IN and through him.
Our trust is in GOD the FATHER and His Son the Lord Jesus Christ.
We are to be trained, knowledgeable and ready. The armies of ancient Israel were trained, knowledgeable, strong and ready; yet their hope and trust was in GOD alone. This is because they knew by experience and by the scriptures many important facts which include these principles:
Proverbs 21:30-31
“There is no wisdom nor understanding
nor counsel against the LORD.
The horse is prepared against the day of battle:
but safety is of the LORD.”
Here are some more that the apostle Paul was taught by Jesus as well.
Ephesians 6:8
“Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth,
the same shall he receive of the Lord,
whether he be bond or free.”
The Whole Armor of God
Ephesians 6:10-18
Finally, my brethren,
be strong in the Lord,
and in the power of His might.
Put on the whole armour of GOD,
that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood,
but against principalities,
against powers,
against the rulers of the darkness of this world,
against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of GOD,
that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day,
and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore,
having your loins girt about with truth,
and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Above all, taking the shield of faith,
wherewith ye shall be able to quench
all the fiery darts of the wicked.
And take the helmet of salvation,
and the sword of the Spirit,
which is the word of GOD:
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit,
and watching thereunto with all perseverance
and supplication for all saints”
(‘to wit” = to know and understand)
to know that GOD the FATHER was IN Christ…
All things were created of GOD the FATHER which means all things consist of HIM and all have their being through HIS infinite life and power alone (Acts 17:28). Why shouldn’t we trust HIM? HE is just, fair, merciful, loving and good. There is nothing outside of HIS power that can overthrow HIM, there is nothing impossible to HIM; and Jesus knew this too. Even the Lord Jesus Christ is of GOD the FATHER. Jesus willing and lovingly submitted himself to HIM and with great loving devotion, He served HIM with everything He had; all His heart, mind, soul and body. Jesus Christ is our example. (2 Peter 2:21-23)
2 Corinthians 5:18-21
“And all things are of GOD,
WHO hath reconciled us to HIMSELF by Jesus Christ,
and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
to wit, that GOD was in Christ,
reconciling the world unto HIMSELF,
not imputing their trespasses unto them;
and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
Now then we are ambassadors for Christ,
as though GOD did beseech you by us:
we pray you in Christ’s stead,
be ye reconciled to GOD.
For HE hath made Him to be sin for us,
Who knew no sin;
that we might be made the righteousness of GOD IN Him.”
2Corinthians 6:1-13
“We then, as workers together with Him,
beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of GOD in vain.
For HE saith,
I have heard thee in a time accepted,
and in the day of salvation
have I succoured thee:
behold, now is the accepted time;
behold, now is the day of salvation.
Giving no offence in any thing,
that the ministry be not blamed:
But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God,
in much patience,
in afflictions,
in necessities,
in distresses,
In stripes,
in imprisonments,
in tumults,
in labours,
in watchings,
in fastings;
by pureness,
by knowledge,
by longsuffering,
by kindness,
by the Holy Ghost,
by love unfeigned,
by the word of truth,
by the power of God,
by the armour of righteousness
on the right hand and on the left,
by honour and dishonour,
by evil report and good report:
as deceivers, and yet true;
as unknown, and yet well known;
as dying, and, behold, we live;
as chastened, and not killed;
as sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing;
as poor, yet making many rich;
as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
O ye Corinthians,
our mouth is open unto you,
our heart is enlarged.
Ye are not straitened in us,
but ye are straitened in your own bowels.
Now for a recompence in the same,
(I speak as unto my children,)
be ye also enlarged.”
To be straitened is to be distressed in a small tight difficult place, to be closed in; to be held under siege, to be on a dead end path, like trapped in bondage to sin. Paul is telling the Corinthians that he can’t live their lives for them, but they must do their own part to free themselves through the power of the word of GOD, the Holy Spirit of GOD by obedience to GOD. Paul is telling them not to be limited and restricted in the bondage of sin; but to be liberated and freed into a large place (righteousness) and to let their hearts be enlarged with the truth of GOD and do the truth (obey); bringing forth the good fruits of the Spirit of GOD the FATHER and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul is saying they were not restricted in Paul, as in his teachings, (he wasn’t putting them in bondage); but that their own sin would restricted them into a strait and would put them in bondage. Paul says they are restrained and restricted in their own works and deeds of sin; he is warning them not to sin.
Examples of the word “strait” in these particular usages: (Deuteronomy 28:53,55,57; Joshua 6:1; 1Samuel 13:16; 2Samuel 24:14; 2Kings 6:1; Job 12:23-24; Job 18:5-21; Job 20:22-29; Job 36:16; Proverbs 4:11-12; Isaiah 49:20)
There is a positive reference using the same word “strait” which only means narrow:
Matthew 7:12-14
“Therefore all things whatsoever
ye would that men should do to you,
do ye even so to them:
for this is the law and the prophets.
Enter ye in at the strait gate:
for wide is the gate,
and broad is the way,
that leadeth to destruction,
and many there be which go in thereat:
Because strait is the gate,
and narrow is the way,
which leadeth unto life,
and few there be that find it.”
There is also another similar word “straight” which means the opposite of crooked. As also in straight ahead, not turned or deviated to the right or the left.
Proverbs 4:23-27
“Keep thy heart with all diligence;
for out of it are the issues of life.
Put away from thee a froward mouth,
and perverse lips put far from thee.
Let thine eyes look right on,
and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.
Ponder the path of thy feet,
and let all thy ways be established.
Turn not to the right hand nor to the left:
remove thy foot from evil.
Ecclesiastes 7:12-13
For wisdom is a defence,
and money is a defence:
but the excellency of knowledge is,
that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.
Consider the work of GOD:
for who can make that straight,
which HE hath made crooked?”
Isaiah 40:1-5
“Comfort ye, comfort ye MY people, saith your God.
Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem,
and cry unto her,
that her warfare is accomplished,
that her iniquity is pardoned:
for she hath received of the LORD’S hand double for all her sins.
The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness,
Prepare ye the way of the LORD,
make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be exalted,
and every mountain and hill shall be made low:
and the crooked shall be made straight,
and the rough places plain:
And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed,
and all flesh shall see it together:
for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.”
We are commanded by GOD to prepare our own ways to be transformed from being crooked (sinful) to being made straight (right, righteous and just). This was the calling of John the Baptist, his mission was to call the people to sincere repentance to meet Jesus with a humble and repentant heart in order to receive the kingdom of GOD; they couldn’t continue living in unrepentant sinning and still receive salvation and the Holy Spirit. The highway of our GOD is the way, the path, of righteousness. GOD sent John the Baptist to prepare the people for the glory of the LORD to be revealed and that glory was the coming of Jesus Christ, He is coming again and His people will be ready.
Isaiah 42:16
“And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not;
I will lead them in paths that they have not known:
I will make darkness light before them,
and crooked things straight.
These things will I do unto them,
and not forsake them.”
Isaiah 45:2
“I will go before thee,
and make the crooked places straight:
I will break in pieces the gates of brass,
and cut in sunder the bars of iron”
Proverbs 16:17
“The highway of the upright is to depart from evil:
he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.”
Isaiah 35:8
“And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.”
Isaiah 62:10-12
“Go through, go through the gates;
prepare ye the way of the people;
cast up, cast up the highway;
gather out the stones;
lift up a standard for the people.
Behold, the LORD hath proclaimed unto the end of the world,
Say ye to the daughter of Zion,
Behold, thy salvation cometh;
behold, his reward is with Him,
and His work before Him.
And they shall call them,
The holy people,
The redeemed of the LORD:
and thou shalt be called,
Sought out, A city not forsaken.”
Old Paths – The Way of the LORD – The Way of Righteousness
Jeremiah 6:16
“Thus saith the LORD,
Stand ye in the ways,
and see, and ask for the old paths,
where is the good way,
and walk therein,
and ye shall find rest for your souls.
But they said, We will not walk therein.”
Isaiah 58:12
“And they that shall be of thee
shall build the old waste places:
thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations;
and thou shalt be called,
The repairer of the breach,
The restorer of paths to dwell in.”
His Reward Is With Him
Revelation 22:12-17
“And, behold, I come quickly;
and My reward is with Me,
to give every man according as his work shall be.
I am Alpha and Omega,
the beginning and the end,
the first and the last.
Blessed are they that do HIS commandments,
THAT they may have right to the tree of life,
and may enter in through the gates into the city.
For without are dogs,
and sorcerers,
and whoremongers,
and murderers,
and idolaters,
and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
I Jesus have sent Mine angel
to testify unto you these things in the churches.
I am the root and the offspring of David,
and the bright and morning star.
And the Spirit and the bride say, Come.
And let him that heareth say, Come.
And let him that is athirst come.
And whosoever will,
let him take the water of life freely.”