Facing Reality a Must

Do not trust in deceptive words and say, “This is the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD!” – Jeremiah 7:4.

He replied, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots.” – Matthew 15:13.

Japan entered World War II with specific objectives: (1) cripple the naval power of America and Britain, (2) seize territory essential to postwar development, and (3) withdraw behind an unassailable defense perimeter. Japan presumed that the United States and Britain would negotiate peace, leaving Japan in possession of its conquests.

The Japanese deluded themselves. Had they faced the reality of the Allied response, they would never have attacked Pearl Harbor. They had to imagine how they wanted the Allies to respond and plan their strategy accordingly. It was foolish, but was all Japan could do since it wanted both its conquests and peace.

Yes, we all refuse to face facts sometimes. We postulate certain actualities and build our future, our relationships, and our decisions on them. Reality becomes what our imaginations devise. That is why the doctrines some people hold reflect their illusions instead of God’s Word. Their beliefs originate everywhere but the Bible. Without confirming them in the Bible, they just imagine that God will accept them. The Japanese were tragically wrong in 1941. And what about us? Can we expect God to casually honor all our beliefs and convictions just because we feel he should?

Courtesy of Speaker’s Sourcebook of New Illustrations by Virgil Hurley © 1995 by Word, Incorporated.
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV © 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®
Used by permission. All rights reserved.