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These last few months have been times of great uncertainty and unrest for us both as a nation and for the wider part globally as well. Who of us could not fail to be aware of all the talk regarding the credit crunch? This has affected large institutions like the banks, small businesses as well as homeowners and those with limited funds. Then we have had our politicians hotly debating the level of income tax for the lower paid. Should we retain the 10p tax bracket or not as the case may be, teachers on strike, it goes on day-by-day, week-by-week and year-by-year.

 

In London and in other major capitals across the world we have seen people demonstrating against the Olympic torch and China's involvement in the next Olympics. Unrest in Kenya and Zimbabwe has caught the attention of the world’s media, while Iraq and Afghanistan still feature almost daily on the television, radio and in the papers. It does appear that we are always going from one crisis to another. Again this is true on a personal level as well as national and international, we get through one thing then something else always appears on the horizon.

 

Historically the same can be said, as each successive generation and government think that they will make a better job and all will be well. Even the nation of Israel in Old Testament times went through exactly the same times of uncertainty, as they battled with drought, famine, invasion, internal strife and the worst of all slavery and exile. Why should this be, surely after centuries of struggle, hardship and disappointments we should now be getting things right at last. Yet although situations and circumstances might be different the outcome is still the same.

 

The Bible has much to say and teach us about these issues and others like them. For it was never God’s plan that we should live in a continual state of turmoil.  The prophet Jeremiah reminds us of this great truth when he records for us in chapter 29 v 11 of the book that bears his name; “I have plans for you, plans to prosper, plans to give you a hope and a future”. So the answer to this continual to-ing and fro-ing from crisis to crisis is not found in a government or indeed through the scheming of men and women. No the answer very clearly lies with God, for we are His handiwork and He knows what we need and when we need it. Hence the Bible again records for us “That at the right time Christ died for the ungodly”. (Romans 5:6) Who are the ungodly? Well that I am afraid is all of us. We only have to look at ourselves to see the truth of the words that remind us of that  “there is no one righteous, not even one”, (Romans 3:10).  We do have a history of stubbornness opposing the decrees and commands of God, no wonder we get ourselves into such muddles. But and it is a lovely but, all is not lost. For in Christ Jesus we have all we could ever need. Whatever our circumstances, whatever our situation the Lord Jesus Christ is able to bring hope and release. So often we feel like a prisoner trapped unable to free ourselves. Jesus said “I have come to proclaim (bring) freedom for the prisoners”.  (Luke 4:11)

 

What wonderful assurance we have knowing that in all things God works for good. The children of Israel suffered and endured many times of heartache and uncertainty. Many times falling headlong into disaster after disaster, simply because of their stubbornness. In fact God referred to His people as being stiff necked, in other words unwilling to give themselves fully to Him in worship and obedience. We all have this stubborn streak within us, and we openly rebel against any hint of appearing to be submissive.

 

That is what caused our downfall in the first place in the Garden of Eden. Why shouldn’t we became the byword as opposed to, we should in our response to God. Israel always fell short of the blessing that God wanted to pour upon them. Recall the words of God to Israel through the prophet Malachi in chapter 3:10 “see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have enough room for it”

 

What is stopping us from receiving this blessing? Do we have stubborn hearts that refuse to acknowledge the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord, or may be it is because we still want to do our own thing and go our own way. Today as we read this let there be a willingness in our hearts and lives to submit to the God of Heaven, to His Son to whom all authority in heaven and on earth has been given. As we do so the chaos and crisis of this world will melt away as His Peace and His Joy floods into our hearts.

 

Finally in the words of the apostle Paul “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with you all”. (2 Thessalonians 3:16)

 

Love in Jesus to you all

 

Eric Blowes