Government is now our provider
The sermon's theme was “God, our provider” and the text was Psalm 23. As the sermon progressed, I thought of the United States of America and the principles which guided its founders.
Psalm 23 in the New International Version (NIV) of the Bible:
Verse 1: “The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.”
Verse 2: “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters.”
Verse 3: “He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name's sake.”
Verse 4: “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
Verse 5: “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”
Verse 6: “Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”
The second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence states, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.”
They wrote this more than two centuries ago and we have taken the statement for granted for too long!
Now let's read this Psalm the way our politicians, schools, news organizations and entertainers urge us to read it.
U.S.A.-2012 Version
Verse 1: The government is my shepherd, I shall not want.
Verse 2: It makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me beside quiet waters.
Verse 3: It keeps me satisfied and enforces the laws it has enacted.
Verse 4: When I get a life-threatening illness, it will be at my side making sure I don't outlive my government-mandated and limited insurance coverage.
Verse 5: Government will make sure I have enough food stamps to keep me alive and contented. My local government official will see to it that I am satisfied and will re-elect him or her.
Verse 6: Government assures me that if I follow its rules and vote the right way, I will get my fair share and no one will be allowed to get more than his or her share. Forever!
Half of the people who voted on Nov. 6 are convinced that the “U.S.A.-2012” version is correct!
God help us!
Bob Erickson
Foothills
