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Isaiah 31:1-3


"Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help
and rely on horses,
who trust in chariots because they are many
and in horsemen because they are very strong,
but do not look to the Holy One of Israel
or consult the Lord!
And yet he is wise and brings disaster;
he does not call back his words,
but will arise against the house of the evildoers
and against the helpers of those who work iniquity.
The Egyptians are man, and not God,
and their horses are flesh, and not spirit.
When the Lord stretches out his hand,
the helper will stumble, and he who is helped will fall,
and they will all perish together."

    Unfortunately, many of us often act like practical atheists.  We talk a good talk, but when it comes time to trust in God, we trust in man.  The American dream is the great humanistic victory in our unfortunate history.  We have believed in the good inside of man, ignoring the Bible, and reaping our just consequences. 

    We all have our favorite Egypt.  Much of the time it is ourselves who are our God's.  A proper work ethic is a wonderful thing, but if it's derived from a sense of personal pride and accomplishment (pulling ourselves up by our own bootstraps) instead of from a proper understand of taking dominion under God, it is nothing more than humanism.  Humanism is the great religion of our day.  It is taught in our schools (well, your schools, my school has Christian teachers).  It is taught in the workplace.  Even worse, it is taught in our churches.  The prosperity Gospel is humanism baptized with a little bit of holy water.  
    As a nation, we need to look to the Holy One of Israel.  We need to consult His words.  We need to give up our love of self and our pride in the good of humanity and get back to faith, repentance, and service to God. 

    The Egyptians are man, and not God.  We could put many words in the place of "Egyptians."  Rock stars are man and not God.  Politicians are man and not God (though you might have trouble convincing them of that).  Movie stars, sports stars, technology gurus...they all have this in common--they ain't God.  You aren't God.  You need to follow your Creator and Lord, not your heart.  

    Every time we rely on God, we will be successful.  Every time we rely on man, we will all perish together.  We can't legislate Utopia.  We can't advance technology to reach Utopia.  We can't create government programs to create a perfect world with peace and love and all that good crap.  We can't have good relations with other nations to reach perfection.  We need to depend on God and let Him guide us and not worry about the situation.  

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