In Ecclesiastes 3:1 the Bible says, “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.”
If we look around, there is no doubt that we are living in difficult times. We are told we are headed for or are in a recession. Gas prices are again on the rise, although they are not as bad as a year ago. Unemployment is high. Banks are failing. Businesses are failing. Health care is difficult to obtain. We are fighting wars in the Middle East and many are looking at these difficult times wondering what to do.
Some are wondering how we will make it through these difficult times. Is there a solution?
One of the things I believe we can find comfort in is the word of God. One of my favorite scriptures is Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and He shall direct thy paths.”
The key to surviving difficult times is to trust in the Lord. We have to understand that God loves and cares for us.
David said in Psalms 27:25, “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.”
David had seen a lot in his life, but the one thing he had not seen is God forsaking those faithful to Him.
Over the years I have learned that God uses means and methods to get our attention. We are often like the prodigal son. We don’t realize our blessing until we are at our lowest point. We have been blessed as a nation and somehow instead of moving closer to God, many moved away.
It is time to refocus and recommit to the Lord. Two Chronicles say, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” God promises to heal our land if we repent and recommit ourselves to Him. We have to trust in God to get us through these difficult times.
Trusting God is not easy because it involves a relinquishing of our will to God’s will. We have to rely on God and not our own power and ability. Proverbs says “in all thine ways.” All is everything, the big things as well as little things. Many of us are so used to making our own decisions and it is difficult to rely on someone else for guidance. However, the word of God asks us to rely on God for guidance. The Bible says that He will direct our path. Think about how it would be if those leading our country relied on God in all things. I think we would not have as many problems as we have today. I believe God would give our leaders wisdom to overcome any situation. He would give them love to ensure that the needs of our people are met.
I understand that we do not live in a perfect society. However, I challenge you to trust God. Even if He does not fix the world’s problems, He will sustain you. Your provisions may come from strange places, but you will be able to endure through the recession. Allow your faith to override your fear. Remember we walk by faith and not by sight and that what God has promised He will do. It is time to trust in the Lord and allow the Lord to lead and guide this nation.
Jackson is pastor of the St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church and a member of the United Ministerial Alliance.
If we look around, there is no doubt that we are living in difficult times. We are told we are headed for or are in a recession. Gas prices are again on the rise, although they are not as bad as a year ago. Unemployment is high. Banks are failing. Businesses are failing. Health care is difficult to obtain. We are fighting wars in the Middle East and many are looking at these difficult times wondering what to do.
Some are wondering how we will make it through these difficult times. Is there a solution?
One of the things I believe we can find comfort in is the word of God. One of my favorite scriptures is Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and He shall direct thy paths.”
The key to surviving difficult times is to trust in the Lord. We have to understand that God loves and cares for us.
David said in Psalms 27:25, “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.”
David had seen a lot in his life, but the one thing he had not seen is God forsaking those faithful to Him.
Over the years I have learned that God uses means and methods to get our attention. We are often like the prodigal son. We don’t realize our blessing until we are at our lowest point. We have been blessed as a nation and somehow instead of moving closer to God, many moved away.
It is time to refocus and recommit to the Lord. Two Chronicles say, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” God promises to heal our land if we repent and recommit ourselves to Him. We have to trust in God to get us through these difficult times.
Trusting God is not easy because it involves a relinquishing of our will to God’s will. We have to rely on God and not our own power and ability. Proverbs says “in all thine ways.” All is everything, the big things as well as little things. Many of us are so used to making our own decisions and it is difficult to rely on someone else for guidance. However, the word of God asks us to rely on God for guidance. The Bible says that He will direct our path. Think about how it would be if those leading our country relied on God in all things. I think we would not have as many problems as we have today. I believe God would give our leaders wisdom to overcome any situation. He would give them love to ensure that the needs of our people are met.
I understand that we do not live in a perfect society. However, I challenge you to trust God. Even if He does not fix the world’s problems, He will sustain you. Your provisions may come from strange places, but you will be able to endure through the recession. Allow your faith to override your fear. Remember we walk by faith and not by sight and that what God has promised He will do. It is time to trust in the Lord and allow the Lord to lead and guide this nation.
Jackson is pastor of the St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church and a member of the United Ministerial Alliance.