"The Comparison"

"They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright." (Psalms 20:8) Is it any wonder that there needs to be a comparison made between those that put their trust in material things and those that put their trust in God? In this time that we live, many that mock God are those that have made a life dependant upon wealth and material gain, not believing they require any assistance from God, but believing instead that the earth is their god, sufficient to supply all of their needs. As I have said before, this earth is fallen, and all that is within it shall pass away; there is nothing here that is to be held onto for those that have eternal life in Christ, because there is nothing here that will be taken into eternity, but our souls! We do not need to defend God on this, because He is more than able to defend Himself, and so He shall on the day of judgement; but it is we that take a stand for God that are the ones who are defended, whether we might realize it or not, God will always honor that which He has promised in His word. I think of Abraham, who believed God would make him a father of many children, more than the stars of the sky or the sands of the seashore; yet he was not able to see this promise fulfilled in his lifetime. Did that stop him from believing in the promise? In no way did he turn from that which was promised him; but instead, he looked beyond this material world, and looked to a home not made with hands; one fashioned by God in the heavens, eternal and full of glory beyond measure or description. He saw God's message of hope to all nations, as a message of something beyond that of his days, and as something much bigger than anything he could be a part of on this earth; but yet, something that he shared a part in, by his obedience and his trust in God. If we really want to see how God pours out blessings upon those that trust in Him, we need to look beyond that of material things, and instead look upon the relationship that they have with God. They that put their trust in things that are dying, will always be brought down, and they will always need to replenish that which is lost or rotted; but God never needs replenishment, and He is always faithful to supply all of our needs; or better yet, that which we really need; if we just trust in Him... "By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: for he looked for a city which hath foundations; whose builder and maker is God. Through faith also Sarah herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered a child when she was past her age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the seashore innumerable. These all died in faith, not having received the promise, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for He hath prepared for them a city." (Hebrews 11:8-16)