Hucksters, Charlatans, and Snake Oil Salesmen
Wednesday, August 30, 2023
“Some things are great but have little efficacy in them, but God’s steadfast love is a tonic to your drooping spirits, a golden ointment to your bleeding wounds, a heavenly bandage to your broken bones, a royal chariot for your weary feet, a bosom of love for your trembling heart.” – C.H. Spurgeon
I like watching westerns or “period” movies from the 1800s. Life just seemed so much simpler back then. Men were men, women were women, right was right, and wrong was wrong. And just so you could tell them apart, the good guys wore white hats and the bad guys wore black ones.
Of course, those “golden days of yesteryear” had their fair share of bumps, bruises, and inconveniences. For instance, I shudder to think what it was like living without air conditioning, refrigeration, indoor plumbing, or some of the other modern conveniences that we take for granted these days.
Those days before the turn of the 20th century also had more than a few hucksters, charlatans, and snake oil salesmen. “Buy this here elixir and it will heal all your ailments and other maladies, from hair loss to weight gain, or your money back.” Of course, by the time you discovered that the “magic tonic” was about 50% alcohol and didn’t fix anything, the con man was onto the next town to swindle some other unsuspecting customers.
On the contrary, God’s perfect tonic – the Lord Jesus Christ – is 100% guaranteed to fix what ails you. Depressed and lonely? He is the Friend who sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24); who also promises to never leave nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). “A bruised reed He will not break,” God declares about Himself, “and a smoking flax He will not quench” (Isaiah 42:3 and Matthew 12:20).
Brokenhearted? Psalm 147: 3 says that “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Tired and worn out? Jesus urges you to come unto Him “and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28-30).
I could go on and on, but I think you get the idea. Now saddle up, pardner, and watch out for those scoundrels that Paul warned about in 2 Timothy 4 and Titus 1… and John in I John 4… and Jesus Himself in Matthew 7.
“Is there no balm in Gilead?” Jeremiah 8:22 (NKJV)
- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President
