Although I should not be surprised, I am.
Many Christians (at least the vast majority of the ones I have been around) are quick to claim God’s promises as if they are made directly to their own lives. It is trendy to stick Bible verses on home decor, especially those that are encouraging. For example, whoever thought to tack the letters F-A-I-T-H together in various ways and sell them in stores like Hobby Lobby and Micheal’s was a marketing genius! Perhaps this was the same genius that tacked on Isaiah 40:31 to a photo of an eagle flying. In fact, I have a theory that you could make a lot of money by selling scenic photographs with “inspirational verses” attached to them. Well, at least more than you could make by tacking on “death and destruction” verses. (Hmm… I wonder if Isaiah 41:14 would sell just as well? Would Christians enjoy being equated with a worm (maybe even a night crawler–Lumbricus terrestris) like Jacob was?
My question is this: (Okay, it’s more than one, but bear with me…)
Do these same people ever take the death and destruction verses to heart as well? Do they think it’s a compliment to be referred to as “sheep”?? Why are they allowed to cherry-pick the Bible? What makes them so special as to think the Scriptures (well, the encouraging parts at least) were written for their benefit alone? Who then are the other parts intended for? Most of all, why do so many Christians individualize everything beneficial and then point fingers and accuse others when life gets rough?
If the trend of cherry-picking the encouraging verses and individualizing them is something that is going to remain unaddressed in our congregations, I suggest we add this song to our worship services…
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