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Why, Oh Why, Do They "Occupy"?
by Robert Driskell Viewing the scenes of police confronting the 'Occupy America' (or whatever city they happen to be in) protesters makes one wonder at the root cause of these events. How did we get to this point? Why was it inevitable that a forceful confrontation take place? What we see is the result of people doing what seems right in their own eyes, instead of knowing and doing the will of God. The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice. (Proverbs 12:15 ESV) Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the heart. (Proverbs 21:2 ESV) The occupiers consist of people of many differing ideas and ideologies. For the most part, the only thing they have in common is a distrust of the government. Instead of trusting God to supply all their needs, they believe it the government's responsibility to take care of themor at least not prevent them from making a living. The 'occupier's' distrust of the government leads them to treat their opponents with less than respectful attitudes. The police, even though empowered by the government, are merely human beings also. They are influenced, to a certain degree, by self-preservation and self-importance. Many times, this combination results in them treating the 'occupiers' with far less dignity than they deserve. Often, they view the situation as a case of "might makes right". In all probability, these scenes will grow more and more frequent as people become disillusioned, distrustful, and disheartened with our government. In the process of rejecting God, we are reaping what we are sowing. This is a biblical principle we are told of in Galatians: Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. (Galatians 6:7-8 ESV) The underlying problem with the entire situation is that too many people are looking to the government to supply that which only God can provide. Having moved God to the sidelines of life, many seek to replace Him with worldly things. They seek to find some other source of fulfillment, gratification, and support. The Bible tells us that we should depend on God for what we need: "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:25-33 ESV) When one is in a right relationship with God, through trust/faith in Jesus Christ, there is nothing to worry about. God promises to take care of us and meet our every need. If we trusted God for what we need, instead of thinking that the government controlled more than it does, we would have a peaceful heart and events such as "Occupy America" would be a thing of the past. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7 ESV) Seeking to introduce people to Jesus Christ and to help them become "transformed by the renewing of their mind." Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |