Scriptural Reference:
John 14:1-9 (NIV)

14 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”

1 John 4:9-10 (NIV)

9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

Psalm 19:1 (NIV)

1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Reflection:
In America they have the words "In God we Trust" on almost all their currency. It is a replacement for an earlier motto of E pluribus unum. But what does it mean? Is it still relevant in today's so called Post Modern World? Do Christians even hold true to this motto? or have we strayed from it? Only referring to it as just another 'platitude'.

The scripture verses have been selected to highlight and focus our attention on some important factors in regards to the opening questions.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me." As Christians we are blessed with a gift so rare and amazing that some continue to find it hard to believe and hold to it. A gift that is promised by our Lord and Saviour Jesus. Through out his ministry he shared this gift and this truth with his closest followers. Yet even they kept missing the point. Is it any wonder we today have so much trouble coming to terms with the Grace of our Saviour?

We know that God has an active love for all creation. His love has been shown in his sacrifice of his one and only Son for redemption of all sinners. Through out all of creation and all of time. He has created a perfect way in which we may find completion and acceptance into the fellowship and presence of our Heavenly Father.

Oddly, just as there were those in the Lords times there are those who are caught up in the legalistic of ritualistic faith. Followers of Christ who don't trust God, without first making sure they do some form of spiritual or ritualistic task. A list of dogmatic Church canons and rules have been set out to provide clear and structured. Supported by many congregations as a means test of their Faith. Jesus never set an exam for his followers. He never said if you're good enough you will make it into Heaven. In fact it was the opposite. He pointed out the blindness of the Pharisees. Warning the Disciples not to follow their ways. But to stay clear of their cruel human substitute for the true worship of God the Father.

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands". What more do we really need? We have the very beauty of all creation that is and ever will be to behold. When we consider the words "In God we Trust" let us be brave and say them out loud. Letting everyone who can hear us acknowledge that we are not weak but made all the stronger by our faith. It will be far better for a Christian to die for the faith then to live with a shame of denial. Trying to work their way into Heaven. A feat that will never achieve their desired goal.

In brief and in closing, the question comes to mind. In what or who do you trust when things get out of hand? In what or who do you turn to when life begins to unravel and the threads that make up the story seem broken and tattered? Is it alcohol, or drugs and mental oblivion? These are empty and only will mask the real emptiness within you. Perhaps you find your trust in family and friends or personal achievements? In a feeling of being important to someone. But these too are fragile and will waver if you are found to be less then they desire. As human nature is fickle.

In the end there is only one who is constant and true to his promise. The God of all creation is the solid ground of our faith. No surer ground can be found for trust and assurance.

Prayer:
Lord, the very seasons,
move and change with
the power and majesty
of your perfect grace.

Lord, the sun rises,
and sets at you command.
While the tide ebbs and flows
to the music of the Angels.

Lord, In all creation,
you are revealed as perfect.
There is no trace of empty
promise or false truth.

Lord, I pray that you
will strengthen my weak faith.
Giving me the wisdom to say
In God I trust.

Amen