(In 2008 I wrote this article concerning another event in which we struggled with at that time. Here we are, 12 years later, struggling with yet another “end of the world as we know it” scenario. The more things change the more they stay the same. I edited this and brought it more up to date, but the principles stated then remain the same.
Luke 12:32 “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. NKJV
Like the drumbeat’s of 1000 warriors on the warpath, the media constantly gives us the bad news every day. Gas prices have gone down and gas companies are reeling from the losses. The Stock Market has fallen as a result of the coronoavirus, and companies are close to bankruptcy. The governmental authorities have intervened in an effort to keep things afloat, with TRILLIONS of dollars of cash being doled out – which we and our children will have to repay in increased taxes one day.
Our governmental leaders are telling Americans to stay calm, that they will fix the problem. However, many of these problems stem from governmental controls, or the loosening of governmental regulations. Congressmen, Senators, even our President are not sure what to do, but try to “bailout” (oops, not the right phrase – “rescue”) these banks and institutions. And the media strives to continue to panic all of us into thinking this is the end of the world as we know it. They are doing a pretty good job, don’t you think? And the sad thing is, if we get our news from sources like facebook or other things, we hear so much from both sides that we don’t know who to believe anymore.
Some Christians are jumping on this bandwagon of doom, gloom and despair. They worry about what will happen next, and constantly express concerns about “What if . . . ?” Let me make some observations, if I may.
- ïGod is still in control on His throne in heaven, and everything is working out according to his plan and purpose. Many of the Israelites in the days of the prophets worried and fretted, but it seems that most of them did not fret enough to change their lives and reorder their priorities. Then, when disaster struck and they were killed or carried away, they wanted to blame God for what happened. People haven’t changed a whole lot, have they? Further, it happened because of God’s will. He warned them through famine, locust infestations, drought and other ways, but they wouldn’t listen. Is that what God is doing to America today? Yes, it is time to wake up and look at ourselves, and get our priorities where they need to be, and this is especially true in the church!
- ïThose who trust in God have no need to worry. In Matthew 6:19-34 Jesus talked about the “worriers” of his day and stressed the fact that if we put God and His kingdom first, then he will provide us with all of our needs. Not our wants, our needs. Indeed, it is the same context of this that Luke makes the above statement – Jesus told the “little flock” to “fear not”. Again, where is our faith? In our government? In the banks? In people? Or in God?
- ïA Christian has the awesome privilege and responsibility to pray at this time. We have God to talk to about all of our care, worries and concerns, and indeed, the Bible says that we “cast all of our care upon him, for he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). THE GREATEST THING WE CAN DO NOW IS PRAY – FOR OUR LEADERS IN WASHINGTON, FOR OUR LEADERS IN GEORGIA, AND FOR EVERYONE WHO HAS SOME INFLUENCE IN THESE SITUATIONS. Pray that we lead quiet and peaceable lives (within ourselves as well as in our country). PRAY! PRAY! PRAY! When disaster strikes we want to do something – and the best, the greatest the most powerful thing we can do is PRAY!
Faith is always made stronger through trials and temptations. I thank God for these trials now, and hope that you will as well. Now, more than ever, people will be looking for hope somewhere, anywhere! And this may be the time for the preaching of the gospel where more will listen than ever before. Look at the opportunities ahead of us now! May we, in faith, step up to the challenges and show the world that God is still in control and that he still cares!
In Christian Love
Tommy
P.S. – I only changed the first paragraph of this article from 2008. The rest stays as it was then.
THINK ON THESE THINGS!
