This is a day of "hero worship" and "conformity to life-styles set by stars and famous people." The Lord warns us in Psalm 146:3, "Put not your trust in princes, nor in the sons of men, in whom there is no help." Put not your confidence and trust in any man, no matter how high in politics, education, society, or religion. There is no eternal nor spiritual good in the flesh, and it has been proved under every circumstance. For us to put our confidence in another man and make him our example and leader is like a beggar looking to another beggar for food, or a blind man reaching for the hand of another blind man to guide him. The Lord Jesus is our God, our shepherd, and our guide. "Jesus, my shepherd, brother, friend, my prophet, priest, and king, my Lord, my life, my way, my end; accept the praise I bring" (Newton).
Why not put trust and confidence in men? In this same Psalm David gives several reasons.
(1) "HIS BREATH GOETH FORTH" and he dies. Man is such a frail and impotent creature that for want of a little air, he dies! Should you trust such WEAKNESS
(2) "HE RETURNS TO HIS EARTH;" the dust only is his; it is his dirt. He was made from it and he will return to it. Should you trust such POVERTY?
(3) "IN THAT VERY DAY HIS THOUGHTS PERISH." When a man dies, all of his thoughts, plans,programs, and ideas perish with him. He withers like the grass, his glory wilts like the flower, and nothing of him remains; for only the Word of God abides forever!
Should you trust such VAPOR? Then David writes, "HAPPY IS HE THAT RATH THE GOD OF JACOB FOR HIS HELP, WHOSE HOPE IS IN THE 'LORD HIS GOD!"
(l) FAITH, by which we look to Christ, receive Christ, and live upon Him;
(2) HOPE, by which we wait for the fulfillment of every promise in Christ; and
(3) LOVE to God and men.
Yet LOVE exceeds the others as to its duration and use. FAITH will give way to sight one day, and HOPE will become reality; but LOVE SHALL ONLY EXPAND!