April 11
1 Samuel 9:1-12:25
"Siri do this". "Siri do that" All day long I hear it. AI is seen as objective. For many it seems cute or fun. AI has the ability to create itself, self-improve, self generate. AI, such as in chatbots, has the ability to lie and deceive. AI is not objective truth. Google is not objective truth. Factcheck is not objective truth. The same lack of objectivity is true for the media, politicians, physicians, or any other thing or group that you choose to exalt. Misplaced allegiance is literally destroying us individually, as a people, and as a nation. History has proven time and time again, the majority is more often than not wrong. We teach our children not to play with fire, or they will get burnt. Most are playing with fire, and sadly, don't realize it. David had his faults, as we all do, but he knew where to go for truth, for objectivity, and we would be wise to do the same, as we read in Psalm 108:3-4, " I will praise You, O Lord, among the peoples, For Your mercy is great above the heavens, And Your truth reaches to the clouds."
The people of Israel are shown that they have chosen foolishly in their desire for a worldly king, rather than maintaining God as their king. Yet despite this, we see the warning given in 1 Samuel 12:20-21, "Then Samuel said to the people, “Do not fear. You have done all this wickedness; yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. And do not turn aside; for then you would go after empty things which cannot profit or deliver, for they are nothing." Then, as now, people often choose "empty things" rather than God. Jesus is truth, yet the masses did not recognize Him, as they feared the Jewish leaders, and raised them up to a level of objectivity which they did not deserve, as Jesus clarified in John 7:16-18, "Jesus answered them and said, “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me. If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority. He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him."
Though no one knows the time or the hour except the Father, by the prophetical time table and the events which are transpiring, it should not surprise any of us if the world as we know it is moving towards "End Times". God is sovereign, and this will occur according to His will at His chosen time. But, we as a people are not innocent of moving our world as we know it towards catastrophe. One seemingly innocent click at a time. One seemingly harmless request from Siri. Misplacing our hopes and loyalties onto one flawed thing or person after another. Truth and objectivity rests in God, and no other. His Word is not outdated, but is just as relevant today as the day it was written. We have not evolved at all, in fact, in most ways we have devolved. Most don't realize that we all indeed worship something. Some worship technology, others their family, some their job, and still others their perception of knowledge. Wherever you are, if you feel lost, seek God and worship Him and Him alone. The world will go as it will, God already knows this, but each of us can rest in peace and comfort if we learn to place our trust in Him.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: