It Only Takes One

Jeremiah 5:1 "Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man, if there be any that executeth judgment, that seeketh the truth; and I will pardon it."

It Only Takes One

Legend has it that a riot broke out in a Texas town. As the riot grew out of control, the lawmen of the town called for reinforcements from the famous Texas Rangers. The sheriff who expected to meet a great force at the train depot was a little shocked to see just one Ranger step off the train. Knowing the severe conditions of the riot, the man exclaimed, "There is only one of you!" The lone Texas Ranger replied, "Well, there is only one riot, ain't there?!" The theme "one riot, one ranger" started that day because of the truth that one person can make a difference!

Here in Jeremiah 5, God was looking for just one person in Israel. Moses begged God to spare Sodom and Gomorrah for ten righteous people in that wicked city, but here in Jeremiah, God was looking for one person of His own people. Verse 1 says, "If ye can find a man . . . that seeketh the truth; and I will pardon it." God was looking for a man that was seeking after the truth. Sadly, He could not find one.

It has rightly been said that all it takes for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing. In your church and your family, it only takes one person to do nothing. Jeremiah went looking for God's one man, and in verse 5 he says, "I will get me unto the great men, and will speak unto them . . . but these have altogether broken the yoke, and burst the bonds." Great is not what people see but what God knows. The "great" men in Israel were not doing what God made them to do. They should have been the ones leading the people, but they decided to "break the yoke and burst the bonds."

It all ended up at verses 30-31: "A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land; The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so. . . ." The people needed direction and leadership, but the prophets and priests weren't leading, and the people "love[d] to have it so." How sad it was that the one man, who should have been leading, was lying or ruling his own way!

Today, we still see the thing God called "wonderful and horrible thing." Parents, the "one" God gave to lead, will not lead and direct their children and then send them off, hoping they will make the right decision. Parents, that is why you are there! Help your kids make the right choice-it won't happen otherwise!

Certainly this applies to preachers and people, too. May God help your pastor (or you, if you are one) to lead your church in the right way. Everyone serves, and preachers are followed by the people they serve. What we need is people to lead by serving.

The end will come-you can know the end by looking at the path you are going down today. What path are you on today? May God help you to lead today by serving the people you are accountable for. It only takes one!

For more information about the Bill Rice Ranch visit our website: billriceranch.org

[originally sent out November 19, 2008‏]