INTELLIGENCE
by David Sisler
How many times have you read something like this in the newspaper, or heard something similar on television or radio: "According to usually reliable sources within the administration, it was revealed today..." Or: "According to a reliable source who spoke only on the condition of anonymity..."
Have those unimpeachable sources ever been wrong? You bet they have. Have they ever spoken from a position of personal gain, even though they refused to allow their name to be attached to their quote? Of course. Have they ever, under a cloak of secrecy, given inaccurate information? I would imagine so.
Then why do we continue to place such stock in usually reliable, informed, anonymous – and therefore unaccountable – sources?
"But," someone may protest, "we must gather intelligence. We must have our sources." And then we proceed as if we invented the idea of intelligence gathering, when in reality, it is as old as civilization.
The ancient Egyptians, the Hebrews, the Greeks and the Chinese all had intelligence agents. The sources available to Sir Francis Walsingham, secretary of state under Queen Elizabeth I, were able to detect plans for the Spanish Armada. In more recent times, Nathan Hale was an American spy during the Revolutionary War. Mata Hari was a spy for Germany during World War I.
Usually reliable sources.
The Cold War ended but nations continue to gather intelligence. No matter what results are produced by diplomacy, intelligence continues.
Wouldn't you like to have access to some of the secrets we've learned over the years? Can you imagine the intelligence that is available to every person through God's Word? Now there is an always reliable source!
These times, we say, are difficult times. No one who accepts the truth of the Bible was caught unawares by this morning's headlines. We knew these times were coming before they came. If political intelligence gives you a few weeks warning, it is considered valuable intelligence. Can you imagine knowing hundreds of years in advance? Can you imagine knowing the end from the beginning? That is God's intelligence. That is God's Word!
Listen to some intelligence gathered some 1900 years ago by a man named Paul:
"There will be many troubles in the last days.
"In those times people will love only themselves and money. They will brag and be proud. They will say evil things against others. They will not obey their parents. People will not be thankful or be the kind of people God wants. They will not have love for others. They will refuse to forgive others and will speak bad things. They will not control themselves. They will be cruel and will hate what is good.
"In the last days, people will turn against their friends. They will do foolish things without thinking. They will be conceited and proud. They will love pleasure. They will not love God. They will continue to act as if they serve God, but they will not really serve God" (2 Timothy 3:1-5).
Here is more intelligence, gathered by a man named Matthew:
"You will hear about wars and stories of wars that are coming. But don't be afraid: These things must happen before the end comes. Nations will fight against other nations. Kingdoms will fight against other kingdoms. There will be times when there is no food for people to eat. And there will be earthquakes in different places. These things are like the first pains when something new is about to be born" (Matthew 24:6-8).
What should you do when confronted with such intelligence? Believe it, because it comes from God's Word. Bring yourself into obedience to God's Word because it has always been right. That is the ultimate intelligence.
-30-
Copyright 2002 by David Sisler. All Rights Reserved.
Your comment is welcome.
Write to meat: n4so@hotmail.com
Back to David Sisler's Home Page
