and gloom we are hearing on a 24x7, minute by minute basis, it’s little wonder that more and more of the preachers I listen to on the radio are reminding folks that God is still God and He will see us through the troublesome times. As an observer it is striking how this response has been building based on the events unfolding before our very eyes. Just a few weeks before many of these same preachers were promoting all types of studies and series on a variety of Bible topics. Now they are doing their best to remind people that we all need to recognize God as our only hope in the good times and the bad.
Last Sunday my wife’s preacher boy brother, (that’s what we’ve always called him even though he is now 66 years old), dismissed my Bible study class in prayer. In his prayer he thanked God for bringing him and his son to us to help in our time of needing our home repaired. He thanked God for all that He uses to bring about His plan
and purpose. He thanked God for using an old pine tree to cause a gathering of the family to unite in fellowship and to be bonded once again in love. His prayer hit me like a ton of bricks. Okay, I will be up front here. I have not even once thanked God for the pine tree that came into our home but what a wonderful perspective my brother-in-law added to what we saw as a difficult situation. In fact, these types of weather related issues are actually referred to as an act of God, and as Bro. Milton saw it, an act that has brought family together once again even in the sunset of our lives here on the planet. My response: Humbled and thankful to God for all that He is doing even when I can’t see the forest for the old pine tree!
Our pastor taught a lesson Sunday evening on that famous verse from II Chronicles that speaks about God’s hearing of His people WHENEVER they humble themselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from their wicked ways. (Chapter 7, verse 14) However, Bro. Mike pointed out this verse would be the wrong place to start because before that verse God said that when He sends hard times as a way of getting His people’s attention, that’s when this verse is invoked. The meaning here is one that should be obvious. Our nation is facing some difficult days ahead due in large part to greed, corruption, immoral ways, and a total disregard for God and His blessings on our land. People recognize this as mentioned earlier with regard to the relentless reports of failures in every phase of the now shaken foundation we have depended upon to live. Jesus said for those who build their fo
undation on the sand, they could be sure that when the wind and rough waves come, their house will fall and the fall of it will be great. In contrast, He said those who build their houses on the rock of the truth of God will be able to withstand wind and the waves. (See Matthew 7 and Luke 6) He didn’t say the wind and waves would not come but He did promise victory for those who see even downturns and difficulties as opportunities to humble themselves, pray, seek God’s face, and to turn from their wicked ways. These are some serious but important things to consider for your Wednesday. May God help us is my prayer. Amen. ……More later.
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