Trust but verify!
Trust, but verify is a form of advice given which recommends that while a source of information might be considered reliable, one should perform additional research to verify that such information is accurate, or trustworthy. The term was a signature phrase adopted and made famous by U.S. president Ronald Reagan. Reagan frequently used it when discussing U.S. relations with the Soviet Union. The phrase was originated by Russian leader Vladimir Lenin.[citation needed] The phrase was learned by Reagan from Suzanne Massie, a writer on Russia. She told Reagan, “The Russians like to talk in proverbs. It would be nice of you to know a few. You are an actor – you can learn them very quickly”.[1] The original Russian proverb is a short rhyme which states, Доверяй, но проверяй (doveryai, no proveryai).
After Reagan used the phrase at the signing of the INF Treaty, his counterpart Mikhail Gorbachev responded: “You repeat that at every meeting,” to which Reagan answered “I like it.”
Sure, this is a trendly business quote, but there is a Bible reading makes it the topic of today’s teaching.
In Joshua chapter 9, we read the account of how the Gibeonites, disguised themselves, in order to avoid being conquered and killed. Can’t say that I really blame them, but Joshua missed it. He forgot to seek the Lord, and gave his word to these people. When their deception was discovered, he employed them as laborers in the camp of Israel, but ‘He should have sought the LORD!’.
Would have been nice had they had a New Testament:
Clever people are great at presenting facts that look wonderful, but as we proceed forward, we can find ourselves caught in their web of iniquity if we rely on mere sense knowledge alone in our decision making abilities.
We are a covenant people, supernatural, led by Holy Spirit. We are not orphans, but sons and daughters of the most High God, who hear His voice.
Facing a decision today leader, that looks too good to be true?
It probably is not true. Easy to check it out. Check references. Check financial statements, but above all else, PRAY!
Heard a story, that made me chuckle, along these lines:
A couple of hunters chartered a plane to fly into the Canadian wilderness. Two weeks later when the pilot came to pick them up, he saw the two animals they had bagged and said, “I told you fellows I could only take you and one moose. You’ll have to leave the other behind.”
“But we did it last year in a plane this size,” protested one of the hunters, “and the other pilot let us take two moose.”
“Well, okay,” said the pilot. “If you did it before I guess we can do it again.”
So the two moose and the hunters were loaded in and the plane took off. Because of the heavy weight, it rose with difficulty and was unable to clear an obstructing hill. After the crash, the men climbed out and looked around.
One hunter said to the other, “Where are we, anyway?”
His companion surveyed the scene. “I think we got about half a mile farther than we got last year.”
Source Unknown.
There are countless promises in the Word of God, where He promises to speak to you, lead you, direct you, give you wisdom, bear witness to truth. All comes down to the same thing, in every decision: Am I doing it my way, or His?
Let’s Pray
“Father God, I come to you right now, asking you for clarity, strength and direction in every decision of life. Speak to me, and give me wisdom on all my business dealings, in your name I pray Lord Jesus, Amen.”
