We Can't Help It

What makes us the way we are? I mean, we all start out basically the same, right? But then we change. Why? How?

Science and psychology provide SOME answers. Genetics, environment, socio-economic conditions. Even location and personal relationships can have an effect. But the biggest factor, by far, is our deep-seated desire . . . to sin.

Look at our world today. Okay, maybe not. It's scary. Everywhere we look we see corruption and unrest, violence and injustice. And it's all of our own doing. Ours, and Satan's.

We have always been like this. Since Adam and Eve ate those pricey apples in the garden. And as much as we think we might have the perfect solution for all of mankind's problems, one person's solution is just as bad and ineffective as the next. We still sin.

Do you remember the story about the frog and the scorpion? It's a story about misguided trust and our fallen nature.

A scorpion, which cannot swim, asks a frog to carry it across a river on the frog's back. The frog hesitates, afraid of being stung by the scorpion, but the scorpion argues that if it did that, they would both drown. The frog considers this argument sensible and agrees to transport the scorpion. Midway across the river, the scorpion stings the frog anyway, dooming them both. The dying frog asks the scorpion why it stung the frog despite knowing the consequence, to which the scorpion replies: "I couldn't help it. It's in my nature."

The only one who can help our fallen nature is Jesus. Revelation calls Him "the bright morning star."

"I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star." - Revelation 22:16

Do you remember the 90's power ballad Send Me An Angel from the German band The Scorpions? Here's the chorus:

Here I am
Will you send me an angel?
Here I am
In the land of the morning star

Will you pray with me right now?

Father, we need an angel. We need YOU! We try and try and we still can't get anything right. We are a bunch of pitiful hypocrites - saying one thing and doing another. We are stiff-necked, helpless and hopeless. Hopeless, that is, if we don't have you, our Savior. Save us from ourselves we pray. Here we are Lord. Send us an angel. You are our only hope. In the merciful name of your Son, Jesus. Amen.

Send Me An Angel -Scorpions