Why You Will Survive the Economic Meltdown
from Patrick Morley
Volume 298
October 13, 2008
For a Christian, the Word of God is our ultimate source of truth and strength. The Scriptures are filled with relevant texts about meltdowns. Our assurance is in the trustworthiness of God as He reveals Himself in the Bible.
Here are some selected verses from the book of Isaiah in the New Living Translation. You can find the same sentiment in the other prophets, Psalms, Proverbs, and throughout the New Testament. Meditate on the character and purposes of our great God as you read, and let Him speak to your heart about the meltdown.
Don’t miss the two assurances at the end! Take your time....
Who else knows the weight of the earth or has weighed the mountains and hills on a scale? (Yet) He picks up the whole earth as though it were a grain of sand. (Isaiah 40:12, 15)
I send good times and bad times. I, the Lord, am the one who does these things. (Isaiah 45:7)
I will be your God throughout your lifetime—until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you. (Isaiah 46:4)
Yet for my own sake and for the honor of my name, I will hold back my anger and not wipe you out. I have refined you, but not as silver is refined. Rather, I have refined you in the furnace of suffering. I will rescue you for my sake—yes, for my own sake! I will not let my reputation be tarnished, and I will not share my glory with idols! (Isaiah 48:9-11)
“For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with great compassion I will take you back. In a burst of anger I turned my face away for a little while. But with everlasting love I will have compassion on you,” says the Lord, your Redeemer. (Isaiah 54.7-8)
You can read other pertinent verses at Isaiah 40:23-24; 40:29-31; 43:11-13; 45:23; 49:15-16; 55:11; 56:6, and 60:10.
From start to finish, the Bible describes a God who loves you very much. So much, in fact, that He will discipline you for your own good (see Hebrews 12:7-11).
From these verses come two assurances:
Assurance #1
First, God is in charge. He has a plan. He was not surprised or somehow caught off guard by this meltdown. God is not sitting up in heaven wringing His hands about how this will all turn out. He is altogether good and trustworthy. God is sovereignly orchestrating all of the seemingly random circumstances of your life.
Assurance #2
Second, you’re going to get through this. Yes, you will have to go through it. There are no shortcuts. And, yes, you can’t know how it will turn out. That belongs to the realm of God’s will. And, yes, it’s going to take some time. But, you will get through this.
Patrick Morley, Ph.D. |
|
|
