Hope in Hard Times
These are certainly uncertain times. Let me tell you how bad it is. The economy is so bad...
...Exxon-Mobil laid off 25 Congressmen.
...Motel Six won't leave the light on anymore.
...A picture is now worth 200 words.
...They renamed Wall Street "Wal-Mart Street."
...Angelina Jolie adopted a child from America.
...I got a pre-declined credit card in the mail.
...And, the Treasure Island casino in Las Vegas is now managed by Somali pirates.
Sometimes you have to laugh a little to keep from crying. I don't even think I remember this much negativity and anxiety about the future when the economy bottomed out a few years back, during the "Great Recession." And it's not hard to "do the math" and see that our elected officials are simply pushing the inevitable day of reckoning a little farther ahead into the future every time they try to appease their constituencies instead of making the difficult choices required to govern our land.
I would by lying if I didn't admit that sometimes I get very anxious about what is to come in our nation, economically, in the decade ahead. But then I remember that my security does not rest in Wall Street or Washington, not in Republicans or Democrats. My future is not based on my bank account or 401K, and my health is not dependent on someone's plan for healthcare, whether it be private sector or government sponsored.
That does not mean that things will always be comfortable, for never in Scripture are we promised comfort, only comformity to the image of Christ. I don't doubt that there will be many hard times ahead, but those hard times will only provide opportunity to grow our faith and hope in Christ, and to share His light in the darkness.
The hymn writer said it so well: "My hope is built on nothing else, but Jesus' blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name. On Christ, the Solid Rock, I stand, all other ground is sinking sand."
So take heart, faith family, no matter what you might hear on the news, the Lord has not descended the throne and He is still very much in control. And in case you needed reminding, He can be trusted.
I am praying for you, as I trust you are for me, and I look forward to seeing you Sunday.
--Pastor Ken
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