By David Ettinger
A New Hope
Multitudes cannot wait for 2020 to end, the thinking being 2020 was so unprecedentedly bad that 2021 cannot possibly be any worse. It is as though the mere changing of a single digit can erase all past ills and turn the world into paradise.
Yes, there is hope for 2021, but a hope by default; a hope predicated on the notion that we have already hit the bottom, therefore we can only go up.
However, the hope of a better 2021 is a lie; a desperate aspiration based on absolutely nothing. Outside of the possible eradication of Covid-19 and its offshoots – mask wearing, shutdowns, and economic hardship – 2021 offers no hope, and in fact could well be worse.
And for very good reason.
Any God Will Do
Early in the desert wanderings of ancient Israel, the people’s esteemed leader, Moses, was alone on Mount Sinai meeting with God. Desperate and having no idea what had become of their hero, the people turned to Moses’ brother and second-in-command, Aaron.
They told him: “Come, make us a god who will go before us; for this Moses, the man who brought us up from the land of Egypt – we do not know what happened to him” (Exodus 32:1). What followed was the construction of the golden calf and the shameful behavior associated with it.
The key phrase here is, “make us a god.” This has been the refrain of the human race since its near beginning. Whether one believes in the supernatural or is a “devout” atheist, the yearning for a god – for someone to lead individuals through the perils of existence – has been an innate part of humanity’s composition.
Here in the U.S., for a large part of the population (unbelievers in particular), President Trump was that god. For the next 4 years, the Biden Administration will serve as god. Following that, there will be a new god. The same holds true in every nation on Earth: nations place their hope in the human god who leads their government.
The Only True God
The fatal flaw in this misplaced worship is that there is – has always been, and will always be – but ONE God, and ONE God only. This God is Yahweh, the God of the Bible, and he demands: “You shall have no other gods before Me” (Exodus 20:3). He declares: “And there is no other God besides Me, A righteous God and a Savior; There is none except Me” (Isaiah 45:21).
As the only true God, He implores our sorry race to: “Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; For I am God, and there is no other” (Isaiah 45:22). And further: “Let the wicked abandon his way, And the unrighteous person his thoughts; And let him return to the Lord, And He will have compassion on him, And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon” (Isaiah 55:7).
Nationally, there is great reward for obeying God the Father and His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, and these rewards are found in Deuteronomy 28:1-14. Yes, these promises were made to Israel, but I believe many of them would still apply to any nation willing to proclaim the Lord God as their lone Sovereign.
Of course, there are also punishments for disobeying – or outright rejecting of – God: “Yet if in spite of this you do not obey Me, but act with hostility against Me, then I will act with wrathful hostility against you, and I for My part will punish you seven times for your sins” (Leviticus 26:27-28).
This is the Reason
Regarding ancient Israel, God did not do this immediately, but gave her several centuries to repent. America has had several centuries – and other nations numerous centuries – to end their rejection of God, but they have not.
And this is the reason why 2020 morphing into 2021 doesn’t matter. So long as humanity continues to reject the One True God, it will endure suffering to greater and greater degrees, until this era of human history is at last washed clean.
However, for believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, our time of redemption is coming; we need hold on for but a little while longer!
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annj49
December 29, 2020
I could be wrong about this, but I don’t know many people who would see a president or leader of the country, as God. I believe most see them as fallible human beings. I think they can be loved, however, while faults are observed and noted, sometimes glaringly.
I do see Hollywood actors, singers etc getting that kind of adulation and stature. They are the gods…..
(My sleepy, after midnight thoughts……)
Yes, repentance and reconciliation to God will always be the answer and through these redemption will arise.
Humility and prayer…..the weapons of war fought on our knees.
Challenging thoughts as usual, David!
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dettinger47
December 29, 2020
Thank you, Ann!
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Tom
December 29, 2020
Thanks, David. Good thoughts. Americans are definitely banking on the hope that 2021 is a much “better” year than 2020 was with the pandemic and resulting economic chaos, the Black Lives Matter unrest, and the presidential election and post-election turmoil. But 2020 revealed that this fallen world offers no firm foundations. A good job and good health are not “givens.” Social stability teeters. 2021 may be “better” in some respects, but in general, the cracks in the temporal, worldly pseudo-foundations seem to be widening. Following the Reformation, there were notions of entire nations turning en masse to God. This thinking was popular in Britain at one time and still has some adherents here in the U.S. I know you have mentioned in the past that you don’t foresee any type of “national revival” forthcoming. The rise of secularism challenges all of the former presuppositions about America being a “Christian nation,” and motivates the churches located here to get back to the basics of sowing the Gospel. The Lord can use these harrowing circumstances to lead individuals to Him.
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dettinger47
December 29, 2020
Great comments, Tom. I absolutely agree!
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Blue Collar Theologian
December 29, 2020
Well said, David! I too do not think 2021 will be any better. I have won no friends (or family) in saying this. I read Matthew 24 before reading this post and thank God as you said, that for those who hold on the reward is redemption! The Word of God truly is alive and in the move.
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dettinger47
December 29, 2020
Despite all this, Mandy, I’m still wishing you a blessed 2021!
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Blue Collar Theologian
December 29, 2020
Same to you, David! I was going to write love and blessings to you in 2021 but didn’t know how that would come across in light of what was written, so thank you for this!!!
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jarilissima
December 29, 2020
I think you’re right. Not only is our culture sort of decaying around us, but I see the same happen even within Christians, as I see more and more of the new age seep into the church. And even when you say, “Hey, I was in the new age, and what you’re doing is new age,” they don’t want to listen. Whatever feels good, they want to do.
Then there’s the matter of Joe Biden. I see a lot of young, first-time voters going “Phew! The war is over!! Utopia, socialism, here we come!” Like it’s the happy ending to Hunger Games or something.
But having lived through 4 or so presidencies… Well… They youngings are in for a rude awakening. A president cannot wave a magic wand and fix the world. I think the mass hysteria will continue because of that disillusionment, even after Trump.
BUT! I hope your new year is very nice and that you and your family have a healthy, happy 2021 🙂
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dettinger47
December 29, 2020
Great insights. In fact, your comment can really be turned into a short blog for your readers. Very well said!
The same wishes to you and your loved ones for 2021!
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heavensreef
December 29, 2020
Thanks for this insight David……no 2021 won’t be a turn around and no president is the answer. It is truly sad how in the gutter the culture has become. My soul longs for JESUS to return. I am thankful that HE saved me and you and all who commented here. Blessings though, on you and your family and may we continue to write for the LORD and spread HIS word as much as possible in 2021!
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dettinger47
December 29, 2020
Blessings to you and yours, as well, Maxine.
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craig
December 29, 2020
Great points, albeit unpopular to most. Calendar boundaries are simply mile markers on the road of time, but there is a definite psychological tendency to read more into them.
The human tendency toward hope is, I believe, God-given, but sadly misplaced by most people. Thankfully, even when misplaced it keeps people from despair and depression (which is no small mercy, having loved ones who have survived suicide attempts and not yet received the gospel), but O, to get people to turn to the hope of the gospel – the only hope that will not disappoint!
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dettinger47
December 29, 2020
Great points, Craig — every single one of them. I love your final sentence: “… but O, to get people to turn to the hope of the gospel – the only hope that will not disappoint.”
Amen and amen!
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Crissy
December 29, 2020
In total agreement with your thoughts David .
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dettinger47
December 29, 2020
Thank you, Crissy.
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seekingdivineperspective
December 29, 2020
You are so right, David. As long as the nation as a whole keeps rejecting the true God, it doesn’t matter which sinner is in the White House, America’s days are numbered.
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dettinger47
December 30, 2020
Well said. Amen!
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