Gold Diggers
Psalms 9:10 MKJV
(10) And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; for You, Jehovah, have not forsaken those who seek You.
We recently experienced another hail storm in our area of the country which, for home and vehicle owners means destruction of property, while for the ones providing the repairs, it means a harvest time. Specifically for the roofs of all the homes in a very large area, there is significant damage, and their insurance will pay for the majority of the cost.
So, given all this immediate opportunity for wealth, there has been a huge rush of gold diggers, salesmen from all parts of the country coming to get in on the action. I did say salesmen, and not necessarily roofers, because it is more necessary to convince a homeowner that their company is the one than to really know that much about roofing. Signs bearing many names I’ve never seen before have been placed in yards and on corners to draw potential customers to call their number. Once that number is called or the salesman shows up at the door, there is a different sales approach for every company that is meant to win over wary homeowners. Promises of no deductable, added services, and no worries (along with the kitchen sink) are made. There is only one thing, however, that is most difficult to overcome: name recognition or confidence. For all the promises, if there isn’t an established name brand that is supported by years of reliable service and support, it can be very difficult to gain the trust of a responsible home owner. While charm, good looks and tall yarns may turn many of those susceptible to such things, more often the most important main thing people are looking for is a well-established name with references and extended years of proven service. This name is one that needs to be established over a long period of time in the local community so that if any problems arise it can be assured a call for help will be answered and repairs will be quickly made. However, once this name is known, especially from personal experience or favorable reference, there is no question about who will be trusted with installing the new roof.
Storms have passed through, leaving every life in need of renewal and restoration. To this need have come a plethora of gold diggers, those ‘world’ salesmen, with the look, the personality, and the list of goodies that promise to meet and exceed whatever might be hoped for. Signs have been posted in every yard and on every corner with many different names and sales pitches. Friends, careers, entertainment, activity, mood enhancers, food and even religion are each ready to be presented as the provider of necessary repairs. Many are being chosen on a daily basis and quite often there is a reply of ‘already in contract’ to the question of need. There may be a certain level of satisfaction that comes from many areas of life as patches are made and damage is covered up by diversions, but when it comes to really trusting someone with the core, the heart, and all that will flow from it, there is great need to discover someone that has a name to back up any claim. More than just a flashy smile, a catch phrase and a promise of relief, there is a need for a name established by proven service over an extended period of time and in the local area.
While there may be many wannabes that are gaining significantly in the wake of the storm, there is really only one name that is proven far above any other. Before the beginning of time He was, not only setting up shop, but planning and providing for exactly what we might need. He has been proven time and again to meet and exceed the expectations of all who have put their trust in Him. Where there has been lack, He has filled to overflowing. Where there has been brokenness, He has mended and restored. Where sickness has brought disabling pain, He has brought complete healing. Where defeat, failure, and disappointment have brought complete hopelessness, He has established an overcoming, triumphant identity and life. For a list of references, there really is an infinite list, because everyone who has chosen to trust the name of Jesus, without fail has been provided an answer that exceeds the highest hopes or desires. The best confirmation of His name, though, is the one that comes from the previous experience. Once He’s been tested, tasted and tried, there’s no settling for anybody else that shows up at the door. And when it comes to gold, He considers us to be the most valuable treasure of His own heart and His own life. The name is Jesus. Trust no other.
