In 2000, a college student published a fake press release suggesting that a particular company was restating its earnings. Within minutes, the stock fell, and the student made an enormous profit. But he soon was caught and served prison time.
Recently, someone posted the erroneous story that the CEO of a major company had a heart attack. As a result, the company’s stock declined 9% in just twelve minutes!
Such trickery is possible because so many of us are “gullible,” a word derived from gulls-birds which swallow anything tossed to them. Today, many people are gullible-ready to “swallow” rumors or gossip, and quick to believe carefully crafted slogans.
As Paul wrote, this makes us like “children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming” (Ephesians 4:14-15). In contrast, the Bible says God wants us to be stable, sure, and confident. The Psalmist tells us it’s possible to never be shaken, and we do not have to fear “evil tidings.”
How can we find this peace and security? By fearing the Lord, humbling ourselves before Him, delighting in His Word and hiding it in our hearts, and trusting in Him. The Bible promises that if we do these things, we will never be shaken. Our hearts will be steadfast, and we will not fear.
Today, don’t be gullible or allow your life to be shaken by rumors or the changing circumstances of the world. Trust in God. Commit your way to Him. Fill your life with His Word. Let Him give you stability, confidence, and joy!
I will miss President Bush. He made difficult decisions in some of America’s darkest times. He wasn’t on a popularity contest as the ratings showed. I believe history will put his administration in a much different light than what is seen now. 