Those Who Rely on Themselves

Father Albertus Herwanta, O. Carm

"The days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down."

Where do we place our final trust—in our strength, or in God's? Our answer determines our destiny.

1. The Fate of the Self-Reliant: Consumed by Fire

The prophet Malachi describes a final day of judgment, "burning like an oven" (Malachi 4:1). This fire will consume the arrogant and evildoers, leaving them with "neither root nor branch."

Who are these people? They are not necessarily outwardly wicked, but they are ultimately self-reliant. In Malachi's time, there were people who performed religious rituals but trusted in their own power, wealth, or political alliances. Their security was built on the unstable foundations of human ability and pride.

God's judgment, therefore, is not a random punishment. It is the inevitable consumption of a life built on flimsy materials. When our identity is rooted in our achievements, the revealing light of God's truth burns away everything that cannot last. A structure of straw cannot survive a refining fire.

2. The Hope of the God-Reliant: Healed by the Sun

For the same "day" that brings fire to the arrogant brings life to those who fear the Lord. Malachi calls it the rising of the "sun of righteousness" (Malachi 4:2).

The sun is not destructive; it is life-giving. It provides warmth, light, healing, and growth. To stand under this sun is to be wrapped in God's own goodness and peace. The security of the God-reliant is not in their own unshakeable strength, but in God's unwavering faithfulness. Their lives are rooted in Him, and they will bear eternal fruit.

3. The Shattering of Our Modern Temples

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus makes this warning immediate. His disciples were admiring the Jerusalem Temple—a magnificent symbol of religious, national, and architectural security. They were relying on the Temple.

Jesus shatters this illusion, prophesying that not one stone would be left upon another (Luke 21:6). His message is clear: everything we might rely on—from our nation to our closest relationships—can and will be taken away.

4. The Promise When Everything Falls Apart

Yet, in the midst of this total collapse, Jesus gives a stunning command and a promise. He tells His followers that this crisis will be their "opportunity to bear testimony" (Luke 21:13). They are not to rely on pre-planned speeches because He Himself will provide the words and wisdom they need.

This is the glorious twist: the end of self-reliance is the beginning of divine reliance. When we have no plan, no power, and no security of our own left, we are perfectly positioned to experience God's provision. Our job is not to control the outcome but to endure in trust. Jesus promises that our eternal identity, rooted in Him, is utterly secure even if our physical safety is threatened.

Conclusion: Our Choice of Foundation Today

The message is clear: the fire that consumes the self-reliant is the same sun that heals the God-reliant. The crises that shatter the world's temples are the very opportunities for God's people to bear witness.

Our calling is to be a people who, while engaging with the world, do not rely on its structures. We are to be the ones who, when the stones are falling, can stand with quiet endurance. Our security is not in a temple of our making but in being a "living stone" in God's eternal Temple, founded on the unshakable rock of Jesus Christ. Where we place our reliance defines our end. (*)