WWJD By Dr. Richard Youngblood
Question: Given the current economic crisis, I’m
finding it hard to look forward to 2009.
Does Jesus offer any encouragement for times like this?
I believe that Jesus might remind us of the experience
of God’s people, Israel, when he freed them from slavery in Egypt and led them to the
land promised to their forefathers. The uncertainties
they faced upon reaching the land of Canaan can remind us of those we face as
we approach the year 2009.
From the call of Moses to lead God’s people out of
bondage in Egypt to the day they crossed the Jordan River, God demonstrated his
presence with them in dramatic and powerful ways. Yet, when they reached the southern border of
Canaan, God’s people failed to trust him. Twelve spies had been sent to explore the land,
and they reported that the land was a “good land” (Deuteronomy 1:25), and a
“land flowing with milk and honey” (Numbers 13:27) just as God had said. But some of the spies had spoken in ways that
caused the people to lose heart by reporting that the “people are stronger and
taller than we are; the cities are large with walls up to the
sky” (Deuteronomy 1:28). Unfortunately,
the people listened to these voices of discouragement and rebelled against the
Lord by refusing to go into the land. As
a result, the Lord sent them back into the wilderness for forty years before
they finally were able to take the Promised Land.
Perhaps we can learn from the lack of faith displayed
by those people of the Exodus. At the
present time, we have those who are forecasting serious problems in the
forthcoming year. Of course, we must not
deny the realities. Current economic
conditions will probably bring more job losses and pay cuts which will result
in depleted savings and retirement accounts.
More people may be unable to make mortgage payments and lose their
homes. In the midst of these challenges,
we must also recognize that any attempt to face the future with human wisdom
and power alone is as doomed to failure as was Israel’s attack on the land of
Canaan without the help of the Lord (Deuteronomy 1:41-46).
Although some of the spies were discouraging, others
said: “Do not be terrified, do not be afraid of them. The LORD your God, who is
going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your
very eyes, and in the desert. There you
saw how the LORD your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way
you went until you reached this place” (Deuteronomy 1:29-31). These voices of faith understood the realities
in the new land, but they also remembered the greater wisdom and power of
God.
Today, as we approach the new year,
we need to focus on trusting and obeying God.
As I heard a speaker say, “Instead of telling
God how great our problems are, we need to tell our problems how great our God
is.” We are weak, but he is strong. We are inadequate, but he is more than
adequate. Our Lord may not deal with our
problems in the way we expect, but we must trust his wisdom and goodness to do
what is best for all of us.
Finally,
I believe that Jesus would encourage people of faith to see the challenges of
the coming year as opportunities. Such challenges bring an opportunity for
people with faith
in God to demonstrate what real faith is, as well as an opportunity to show the
compassion and kindness of Jesus to those in need. All of us may face difficulties, but many may
be struggling just to survive. No matter
how small the light of faith, it always shines brightest in the darkest of
nights.
May we trust in God who still reigns and serve in the
likeness of Jesus as we enter the year 2009.
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