Thoughts from The Bible: – 07/08/20

Thoughts from the Bible

Tuesday, 07 July 2020 08:51

America, God shed His grace on thee
by Terry Broome

In 1991, Carla Rohlfing wrote an article for Family Circle magazine (4/23/91, p. 24) in which she affirmed that “The newest ‘virus’ to sweep the nation has nothing to do with getting sick in the traditional sense. According to leading psychologists, Americans are suffering from an unprecedented ‘uncertainty syndrome,’ hallmarked by chronic, even crippling anxiety that threatens to have a strong–and negative–effect on our family relationships.” Mrs. Rohlfing went on to blame the Persian Gulf War (our first invasion of Iraq after their attack on Kuwait) under President George H. W. Bush, along with the continuing recession of the early 90’s, rising crime rate and other events of that decade. She observed: “What makes our current situation so critical is that as an individual, you have little, if any, power over events that could have a strong impact on your family–from further job cutbacks to the slump in real-estate values.”

We’re 29 years past her article, so, what’s new? It sounds like history goes through these cycles, and here we are living similar experiences over again in 2020. Fear has gripped a significant portion of our population including God-fearing people who truly believe that God has the ability to make things work out for us.

May I offer some words of hope and encouragement? God uses us, His people, CHRISTIANITY, to share a real hope to those who will accept Jesus, who said: “I am come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10).

Jesus offers a hope that transcends financial security. He has reserved the True Riches (Col. 1:27; Luke 16:11) for us in heaven, and offers us a place “where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt” the treasures that we lay up–in Heaven (Matt. 6:20). Financial crisis may not disappear, but the despair that results can be replaced by the glorious hope of his exceeding great and precious promises. (2 Pet. 1:4).

Jesus offers a hope that transcends the temporary relief of famine and poverty. Man’s generosity often sends tons of food into drought and famine-stricken portions of the world. Legislators are continuously seeking ways to remedy poverty right here in America. Unfortunately, another war, another famine, another collapse, and people will again face the grip of hunger pain. Jesus offers the hope for bread from which there will never again be hunger, “The bread of Life” (John 6:35).
Jesus offers a hope that transcends peace treaties our representatives carve out with other nations who want to harm us. This peace, at best, is a fragile thing. Jesus said, 27Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid (John 14:27).

Jesus offers a hope that transcends the search to heal diseases and delay death’s chilling summons. Jesus holds the power over death and hell……..He is the resurrection and the life (John 11:25-26). All those who die the physical death can have one and only one hope of not dying eternally, and His name is Jesus.

We need leaders to guide the nation. Most certainly God ordains governments, and blesses those who submit to His Righteous Will. Though these men are human and as such cannot bring lasting peace, healing, the end of poverty, or financial distress, we certainly need to pray for them “…that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” (1 Tim. 2:2). May we with one voice join together in prayer for all our elected officials and those who will be given appointments to assist in leading our nation. May God continue to bless America and shed His grace on us.
The author can be reached for comments at 256-574-2489.