In God (Egypt) We Trust by Dr. Dave Madenberg
IN (GOD) EGYPT WE TRUST
On July 30, 1953, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a bill into law which made, 'In God We Trust,' the official motto of the United States of America.
These words had been placed on U.S. coins since the Civil War. But, this new law mandated the phrase be added to America's paper currency as well.
Two years earlier, President Eisenhower also successfully pushed to have the phrase 'under God' added to our Pledge of Allegiance.
Since that time, America began its slow drift away from trusting in God to trusting in Egypt, that is, what the world has to offer.
Few presidents since Eisenhower have truly paid homage to God, Ronald Reagan and Donald Trump being the obvious exceptions. President Trump even succeeded in moving the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. But, the words and actions of former presidents pale in comparison to what President Eisenhower did 'for God and country'.
In 1962, the United States Supreme Court banned prayer in public schools citing it violated the First Amendment. But students were still allowed to meet for prayer on school grounds as long as no one was forced to participate.
At about the same time, the Supreme Court also decided that starting the school day with the mandatory, Pledge of Allegiance, also violated the First Amendment because of the phrase, 'under God.'
Arguments to these rulings continue even today. Yet, in early America, these Godly activities were considered normal by the majority of citizens. The country still remained, 'One nation under God,' holding to its Judeo-Christian foundation.
Then, on January 22, 1973, the Supreme Court issued a 7–2 decision in favor of "Roe" that held women in the United States have a fundamental right to choose whether or not to have abortions without excessive government restriction, and struck down Texas' abortion ban as unconstitutional.
Did the Supreme Court and pro-abortion advocates even consider what God thought about this man-made law ---the approving of murder which God hates?
Rom 1:21-22 tells us: " ... because although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools ... "
On June 26, 2015, the US Supreme Court, again, 'futile in their thoughts and their foolish hearts darkened,' defied another of God's laws by striking down all state bans on same-sex marriage, legalizing it in all fifty states, & requiring states to honor out-of-state 'same-sex marriage licenses' in the case Obergefell v. Hodges.
In Rom 1:24-32, we read: "Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves ... For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased (corrupted) mind, to do those things which are not fitting ... who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them."
Are believers to engage or give approval to such things just because the Supreme Court decides these activities are legal? Absolutely not!
Rom 12:2 says: "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind ..." How? By putting on the mind of Christ.
Is it the believers' job to take vengeance on people who disobey God, or who persecute us? Absolutely not!
Rom 12:17, "Repay no one evil for evil."
And Rom 3:23 points out we are all sinners, "... for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ..."
Also in Rom 12:19, "Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, 'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, saith the Lord.' "
But, that's not to say we don't fight against evil or give in to it. We fight by protesting ...and ...at the ballot box!
As I was in prayer one night, I felt very tired and demoralized. I asked the Lord, as did David, 'Why is my soul so cast down'?
I knew from reading various sources, communists use the tactic of demoralization to begin the takedown of a nation and a people they seek to control. They use local politicians and other subversives along with the bought off news media, to recite a narrative to fulfill their agenda.
But, I believe the Lord spoke to my heart asking me, "Where have you planted your feet?"
I knew what the Holy Spirit was asking. He was helping me to see that both my feet were not solidly planted in the spiritual ground of Goshen. He was showing me that I, along with so many other believers, have become too comfortable and too complacent living in Egypt
Did our national slogan change from, 'In God We trust' to 'In Egypt We Trust?'
We believers are commanded to come out from among those fully planted in Egypt. Believers are to remove themselves from the corruption, immorality, wickedness and never ending sin the world offers, like a carrot dangling before our eyes. Yes, we have to live in this world physically, but spiritually, we cannot become like Egypt, accepting its values.
2 Cor 6:17 instructs us to:
"Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch
what is unclean and I will receive you." "I will be a Father to you, and you
will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."
My heart is truly with Jesus in the spiritual realm. But, I realized there remains a portion in the fleshly realm where I enjoy and also depend on what Egypt offers.
He caused me to see that though I have one foot solidly planted in Goshen with the Lord, the other foot is planted in the quick sand of Egypt.
I'm running the race of faith at a 'jog' rather than 'full speed ahead' because the foot planted in the world is 'slowing' my forward progress.
How many other believers do the same, being bogged down by the cares and comforts of this world? Yearning for a nice house or car, not being satisfied with what we already have?
Heb 13:5 teaches us: "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have ..."
Our hearts must be steadfast, desiring to cross the finish line at full speed, running to win and not letting up! We are not to surrender or cast our love upon the things the world has to offer, no matter how enticing or comforting they appear to be.
Remember what the bible teaches us in 1 John 2:15,
"If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him."
I recently read an article in Got Questions.org regarding how believers are to handle living in Egypt without becoming part of it. These are some excerpts from that article:
1. "Believers in Jesus Christ are simply in the world—physically present—but not of it, not part of its values ... We are not to engage in the sinful activities the world promotes, nor are we to retain the ... corrupt mind that the world creates. Rather, we are to conform ourselves, and our minds, to that of Jesus Christ."
Bible's comment to this:
In Rom 13:14, we read: "But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts."
2. "We are to live in such a way that those outside the faith see our good deeds and our manner and know that there is something “different” about us. Christians who make every effort to live, think and act like those who do not know Christ do Him a great disservice. Even the heathen knows that “by their fruits you shall know them,” and as Christians, we should exhibit the fruit of the Spirit within us."
Bible's comment to this:
Jesus says in Matt 7:16-20, "You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit ... therefore by their fruits you will know them."
3. Being “in” the world also means we can enjoy the things of the world, such as the beautiful creation God has given us, but we are not to immerse ourselves in what the world values, nor are we to chase after ('love') worldly pleasures. Pleasure is no longer our calling in life, as it once was, but rather the worship of God.
Bible's comments to this:
James 4:4 tells us: "Adulterers and adultresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God."
And in Rom 8:6-7, "Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God."
What's the definition of 'enmity'? It comes from the same Latin root as enemy:
Enmity and its synonyms "hostility," "animosity", and " animus" all indicate deep-seated dislike or ill will. Enmity suggests true hatred, either overt or concealed.
The entire quote from 1 John 2:15-16 says: "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world -- the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life -- is not of the Father but is of the world."
And who has been allowed to be the temporary ruler of this world? Satan.
In the US, even we as believers, have been conditioned since childhood to trust in Egypt for all our needs ... such as:
--Food, shelter and clothing.
--Medical care and medications.
--Government subsidies such as welfare and disability.
--Government protection (police, fire, military).
But, when the time comes and we refuse to take the 'Mark of the Beast,' in whom -or- in what will we place our trust to supply us with basic necessities?
Will we still be able to place our trust in Egypt without taking the mark?
The bible tells us in Jer 17:5-8, "Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the Lord." Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit."
We are not to place our trust in Washington, DC or Madison, WI. Egypt cannot be trusted to help us ... because ... Egypt is not trustworthy!
Isaiah 31:1 says: "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 who do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek the Lord!
Brothers and sisters, we must come to grips with the fact Christians are disliked by the world because we are 'bucking' Egypt's system.
Believers must not accept or submit to man's laws ... if they defy God's laws.
Egypt just wants us to 'go away.' Christians are becoming unaccepted, even hated by the world, being thought of as the new counterculture like the 'hippies' were in the 1960's.
Jesus warns us in John 15:18-21, "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you." "If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet, because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." "Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you ...' " "But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me."
But, some ask: "What things will Egypt likely do to persecute believers"?
What did they do to persecute the Jews in Nazi Germany or the believers living in communism?
Just watch a movie such as: Schindler's List or The Diary of Anne Frank orTortured for Christ to witness the gory details ... as to how the people of God were treated.
Jesus also tells us in John 16:1-2, "These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble." ... "yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service."
So that, by eliminating believers, the world will actually think they are doing God a favor.
We must stop trusting in Egypt and the 'sons of men' ... like so many are trusting in Donald Trump or the military to save us from the current regime attempting to control us. They may be able to slow down what's occurring, but cannot stop it.
Instead, we must look to and put our complete faith and trust, not in the sons of men, but in the 'Son of God.'
Some believers say: "Oh, just wait a while. This too shall pass. Things will eventually get back to normal."
But, this is 'wishful thinking.' Getting 'back to normal' is not what the bible declares will happen in the Last Days.
2 Tim 3:1-5 reveals: "But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
And in verses 12-13, "Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and imposters will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived."
And finally in 2 Tim 4:3-4, we read: "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables."
Does this sound like things will get 'better' and 'back to normal'?
How easy it is for us living in the comforts of Egypt to declare how strong our faith is and how we don't doubt God's promises!
-- If we become ill with a sore throat, we say a short prayer to God for healing,' then run to the pharmacy to purchase an over the counter medication to alleviate the symptoms. And, if that fails, we look up and say another ' prayer for healing,' then run to the doctor for an antibiotic.
-- Or, if our blood pressure or blood sugar become abnormal ... no problem. Just lift up another short prayer to God for healing. Then call the doctor for an appointment to obtain the appropriate medication.
Why does it take a doctor telling us we have terminal cancer, or that there is nothing else Egypt and its science can do for us ... before we earnestly look up and cry out in desperation to the Great Physician? Why is He our last resort ... rather than calling on Him first?
When did this country transition from, "In God We Trust" to "In Egypt We Trust?"
We have been conditioned since early childhood to run to men for help rather than first running to our Father, Jehovah Jireh ... the supplier of all our needs.
We must get out of this mindset ... by putting on the mind of Christ ... because ...
In these last days, there may come a time when we won't have access to medications, or physicians, or food and clothing, or fresh water, or shelter ... should believers become outcasts and hunted.
God remains our source, the One who is able to:
--Provide us with bread from heaven,
--Produce water from a rock,
--To feed us by sending the ravens,
--To shut the mouths of wild carnivores who want us as their meal.
--To provide us with herbs for medicines,
--And to put our enemies to confusion, delivering us from evil people.
As written in Prov 16:7, "When a man's ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him."
God's Word tells us in 2 Cor 5:7, "For we walk by faith, not by sight."
We MUST live each day believing and trusting in God's promises ... rather than trusting in the things of Egypt we can see, feel, touch, smell and taste.
Rom 4:20-21 speaks of how, when God told Abraham he would be the father of many nations at 100 years of age, ...
"He (Abraham) did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform ..." Abraham knew that God is our:
Jehovah Tzidkhenu, (our righteousness)
Jehovah M'kadesh, (our sanctifier)
Jehovah Shalom, (our peace)
Jehovah Shammah, (the One who is there for us)
Jehovah Rophe, (our healer)
Jehovah Jireh, (the One who sees and makes provision for us)
Jehovah Nissi, (our banner and refuge)
Jehovah Rohi, (our shepherd and friend)
We read in Ps 34:7, "The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them."
And in verse 10, "... But those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing."
So, how do we live in spiritual Goshen that we don't have to depend on fleshly Egypt?
By putting our complete trust in God, believing that all His promises to us are 'Yes, and Amen' and in His ability to meet all our needs. And by asking God to purge any leaven of doubt and unbelief from us.
Important Question: But, some believers ask: 'Why aren't all our prayers answered when we pray together'? "Isn't there power in numbers'? That 'One shall cast 1,000 to flight and two shall cast 10,000 to flight'?
Important Answer: When we pray together:
1. Are we all praying together in unity, or are we thinking about other things while we are praying?
2. Are we all of the same mind as Christ? Or, does our mind still migrate toward Egypt for help?
3. Is there any leaven of unbelief among those who are praying?
Q: Was Jesus able to heal the sick and raise the dead wherever He went? NO!
Jesus could not do many miracles in His hometown of Nazareth, not because He lacked power, but because the Spirit was hindered due to the people's unbelief.
In Matthew 13:55-56, the people in Nazareth commented when Jesus was there:
" Is this not the carpenter's son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas? And His sisters, are they all not with us? Where then did this Man get all these things?" ...
And in verse 58: "Now He (Jesus) did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief."
Acts Chapter 9 describes a woman 'full of good works' named Tabitha, also called Dorcas, who became sick and died. Two men were then sent to Peter to bring him to Dorcas' lifeless body. So, in Acts 9: 39-41, it says:
"Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, 'Tabitha, arise.' And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive."
Why did Peter have all the widows leave the room?
Could it have been Peter discerned some who were present were not truly in
the faith, which could have hindered the work of the Holy Spirit?
Could it have been Peter knew all those in attendance were not in unity, not of
one mind and one accord? That, the healing might not take place if there was
any leaven of unbelief present in the room which would also hinder the Spirit?
In one of his sermons written in the book, The Faith Collection, Smith Wigglesworth wrote: "Unless we are very wise, we can easily interfere and quench the power of God which is upon us." "It is an evident fact that one man in a meeting, filled with unbelief, can make a place for the devil to have a seat."
We must let this sink in! It's not necessarily a lack of faith which impedes our healing, but rather an abundance of unbelief and doubt the healing will even occur!
And why did the people call for Peter as opposed to a licensed physician so he could raise Dorcas from the dead? Didn't Dorcas have medical insurance?
The people called for Peter because they knew he had been endued with the Holy Spirit and with gifts, so through Christ, Peter was able to lay hands on Dorcas and raise her from the dead.
What separates these first century believers from us today?
The spiritual realm was real to them ... they lived by faith ... and ... "In God We Trust."
Comment: Am I suggesting we all get rid of our medications and stop seeking man's medical advice? NO! We must each seek God's counsel on this matter.
Only God knows the amount of faith and unbelief we each have in our heart for healing.
In his book, The Handbook for the End Times, author Don Finto said regarding the people alive just before the return of Christ:
“The ‘people of the evil one’ (living in fleshly Egypt) will flourish, mature and ripen into the wickedest, the most lustful, the most terrorizing, the most idolatrous, the most selfish generation in the history of the world. But at the same time, the ‘people of the Kingdom’ (living in spiritual Goshen) will mature, flourish and ripen as we move into our destiny of becoming the most powerful, godly, miracle-working, radiant body of believers the world has ever known. Both growing side by side until the end!”
Questions:
So, how do we learn to trust and depend on God like those who have gone before us?
How can we obtain 'the peace of God that surpasses all understanding' before hard times are fully upon us?
Answer
1) Through daily, fervent prayer, and asking for a deeper understanding of God's word.
2) When a problem arises, immediately get on our knees in prayer, reminding God of His promises to us. Do not let go of the Lord's garment until we feel our prayer was heard.
3) Wait on God and don't rush to try and 'fix' the problem. Wait on God.
4) Wrestle with the Lord like Jacob did until He blesses us with victory, regardless of how long it may take, or regardless of how He tests us to see if we truly mean business!
5) Live our lives as written in Ps 37:
- Do not fret because of evildoers nor be envious of the wicked and what they do.
- Trust and believe in the Lord's promises to us...without doubting.
- Delight ourselves in the Lord and in His absolute goodness to us.
- Commit our ways to the Lord in obedience to Him.
- Rest in the promises of the Lord. Wait patiently for His answers to our prayers.
- Depart from evil and do good ... to both friend AND foe.
-And let us not forget what is written in Ps 37 verses 39-40:
"But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in the time of trouble, and the Lord shall help them and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in Him."
May BOTH feet of all believers be planted firmly on the solid ground found in spiritual Goshen. And may America's national motto forever be rooted in our hearts:
"IN GOD WE TRUST!"
