Remove the iniquity of my transgressions,
From the probing of your eye.
Me, lost, undone, without hope, but for you,
The way of life.
Lying is my nature and my learned behavior,
And the hallmark of the Man of Sin.
Grant me freedom, some measure of hope,
Thy law is the lifeline thrown from a merciful hand.
Graciously draw back the backslider.
Open doors hang waiting,
Thou hast clouded my approach.
Mine eyes strain for a glimpse of future purpose,
That I may serve well in seasoned years.
May the wind of your Spirit blow,
Behold now, the vistas change.
Wondrous things I see from my low perch,
Out of reach, yet so near.
Thy law comforts the journey.
But ye turned and polluted my name, and caused every man his servant, and every man his handmaid, whom ye had set at liberty at their pleasure, to return, and brought them into subjection, to be unto you for servants and for handmaids.
Jeremiah 34:16
Johnny Johnson’s Ford dealership had been in his family for three generations. His grandfather, Angus Johnson, was one of the first authorized dealers. The original franchise license, signed by Henry Ford, was framed and proudly displayed in the main showroom.
However, Johnny was not the most honest dealer in town. He inflated prices on everything and insisted that his salesman up-sell the buyer with meaningless extras. This created a poor reputation for his business which drove down sales, and service calls.
Johnny was worried about losing his profitable business. In his distress he decided to go to church one Sunday. On that particular day, the sermon was on living a life of integrity. Johnny thought about this and decided to change his tactics and offer honest prices and a low-pressure sales environment. To cover his losses, he inflated the interest rate his financial team offered by 1 percent.
He then made a deal with God, “I’ll be honest with my customers, but you have to bless my business with success.” This was followed by an ad campaign proclaiming Johnny as the most honest dealer in town. He even borrowed the Johnny Appleseed imagery for his business. He gave away cars to local pastors and non-profits, the images of which filled billboards along the interstate.
This seemed to turn things around for the Johnson Dealership, for awhile. However, it just wasn’t enough. Johnny’s short lived success made him hungry for more. The only way to take his business to the next level was to hike prices again.
Eventually, it all fell apart and Johnny Johnson blamed the Lord for not keeping his end of the bargain.
Blessed are those who bear the gospel of Christ,
The undefiled, the righteous, the called.
In you only do they hope,
The way, the truth, the life.
Who walk not after the world,
In seeking the things of carnality.
The law is their great delight,
Of the Lord, they have their portion, their inheritance.
