INVESTMENTS DOWN? LOOK UP!!!

It has been quite a week!!! Anyone who read a newspaper, watched a newscast or listened to radio news or talk shows will agree that the world is in turmoil. Last Saturday, a hurricane cut a path of destruction from Texas, through Missouri and it even reached Michigan. In Los Angeles, there was a horrific train crash because an engineer was distracted, political candidates continue to snipe and throw mud at each other, scandalous stories of famous people were published, O.J. is on trial again, Russia is threatening, our embassy in Yemen was attacked, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan continue.

Of course, the news that took center stage this week was the financial news. There was a government takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac; Investment Giants were allowed to “go under” while others were shored up by mega billion dollar government loans. AIG, the big 3 auto companies, individuals who greedily had to have a bigger and better house were all given temporary hope based on billions of dollars to be confiscated from hard-working, responsible Americans.

One news network advertised a televised special this way, “Market madness, banks going bust, financial crisis grips Wall Street, Which candidate can clean up this mess?” It is not surprising that doctors are prescribing increasing amounts of nerve pills, ulcer pills, sleeping pills, anti-depressants, therapy sessions or anything that will help alleviate the fear and anxiety that threatens to overwhelm us on a daily basis. Americans are searching for answers.

I have a hope, I have an answer; it is Jesus Christ. Believers should not be caught unaware; the Bible is full of warnings regarding the headlines we read every day. In Luke 1:26, Jesus tells his disciples there would be Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. God never gives us a warning without giving us a promise of His faithfulness. The following are some of the precious promises we have been given.

Hebrews 12:27
And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: 29For our God is a consuming fire.

Lamentations 3:21
This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. 22It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. 24The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

Psalms 37:18
The Lord knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be forever.
19 They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.
20 But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away.
21 The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous showeth mercy, and giveth.
22 For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off.
23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.
24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.
25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
26 He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed

Psalms 37:39
But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble.
40 And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.

Economic experts will try to unravel our tangled financial state, the Presidential candidates will continue to offer a band aid to cover a gaping wound, and mankind will chase after every ungodly pursuit imaginable to quell the fear that grips them, but we can have hope. If you have placed your confidence in Jesus Christ and understand that all you possess is a blessing from God, you can stand strong in a chaotic world. You can have a smile on your face and a song in your heart knowing that, “All I have needed Thy hand hath provided; Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!”