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By Paul |
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Its ugly, really laying there on the
bookshelf behind me: A drab gray, broken
piece of history made from a concrete-like
substance without a shape or form anyone
could easily describe. It looks like what
you would find on the floor of a dilapidated
building not really something one would
care to pick up and hold in their hand
much less save as a souvenir.
A young female soldier who had just returned
to the United States on leave from Germany
handed it to me on a stage near Ft. Worth,
Texas almost twenty years ago when I was
still playing music and singing for a
living. She told me it was a piece of the
Berlin Wall.
I was absolutely dumbfounded.
As best I can recall, it was a gift to me
for having sung Neil Diamonds hit America
that night an inspiring song about people
from around the world coming here in search
of freedom. Apparently, in the young
soldiers eyes, that piece of the wall
represented, at least in part, the fruits of
her labor. I dont know her name havent
seen her since and couldnt even tell you
what she looked like; but Ill never forget
her sharing that important remnant with me
from her tour of duty and a very moving
moment in her life.
I remember watching in amazement as events
unfolded on CNN back when breaking news came
mostly by television communist governments
dropping like dominoes not long after
President Reagans memorable speech at the
Brandenburg Gate in Berlin where he said:
Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!
Those were exciting times no question
about it. But, now on this 20th anniversary,
with America deteriorating like an old and
obsolete relic of our patriotic past, Im
left to wonder if the fall of the Berlin
Wall back in 1989 let freedom in or tyranny
out.
You see, as I write, the wall is being
rebuilt not with concrete, mortar or razor
wire but instead, with satellites,
cameras, computers, databases and an array
of impressive and oppressive technologies
that can monitor, record and analyze the
movements, expressions, words and even
thoughts of an unsuspecting populace now
evermore willing to exchange God-given
liberties and freedoms for governmental
guarantees of health, safety, security and
prosperity.
These are the new guard towers that cast
long shadows from above that to many are far
more intimating than they are comforting.
But, if the government cant protect
soldiers occupying their own countrys
largest military base from a single
terrorist with a handgun, how can it protect
you and me from enemies and threats both
foreign and domestic? I dont care what
politicians promise or provide; government
in any form local, global or otherwise
is simply not a suitable substitute for
Almighty God, and never will be. Trusting in
government to meet all our needs in life
from the cradle to the grave is at best, a
misplaced faith and at worst, idolatry.
Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man
that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his
arm, and whose heart departeth from the
LORD. Jeremiah 17:5
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the
wall is indeed returning and this time it
extends around the world. When the powers
that be are finished with it, there will be
nowhere to run and hide. It wont protect us
from the evil without, but will only chain
us electronically and spiritually to the
wickedness within.
It doesnt matter how many guns are
purchased or how much ammo one has stored
away. Ultimately, this is a spiritual battle
with eternal consequences and God Himself is
the only One who can deliver us from what
lies ahead. The sooner we fall to our knees,
confess our sins, repent and cry out for a
salvation that comes only by Jesus Christ,
the sooner we will have the peace of God
which passeth all understanding and the
wherewithal to carry on into the future,
uncertain as it may be.
For whosoever shall call upon the name
of the Lord shall be saved. Romans
10:13
Thats real freedom, liberty and security
the kind the Apostle Paul sang about
joyously while bound and imprisoned for his
faith as told in the 16th chapter of Acts.
Without it, there is no hope not in this
life or in the life to come. If your
preparations for the future dont include
the Whole Armor of God, you labor in vain.
1. From
Famous Quotes by Fraser Tyler, Cycle-of-Democracy-17702. From
Washington’s Farewell Address, 1796
See also
God’s Warnings for
our Times
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