WHAT IN THE WORLD IS GOING ON?
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									© Alisa J. McCathern
					"The Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth, - Jehovah is his name - says this: Ask me and I will tell you some remarkable secrets about what is going to happen here." (Jeremiah 33:3) Whether it's because of the myriad troubles in the rest of the world or the homegrown troubles right here in our own backyards, it's not too much of a stretch to imagine that many people are wondering, "What's going on?" I admit, I often ask that very question myself. Stocks have taken a nosedive, big corporations are crumbling around the edges, too many children are not being treated like the precious treasures that they are, Nature randomly scorches us and drowns us, and the Middle East peace process sounds like the stuff of fairy tales. Aside from all of the newsworthy problems, the number of personal tragedies, struggles, and heartaches, both large and small, are absolutely staggering. In the midst of all the chaos, one fact remains the same; God is still in control. To these problems God says, "Fear not, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed. I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with my victorious right hand." (Isaiah 41:10) King David said, "The Lord is close to those whose hearts are breaking; he rescues those who are humbly sorry for their sins. The good man does not escape all troubles -- he has them too. But the Lord helps him in each and every one." (Psalm 34:18,19) We ought to follow David's example and declare, "Though I am surrounded by troubles, you will bring me safely through them. You will clench your fist against my enemies! Your power will save me. The Lord will work out his plans for my life -- for your lovingkindness, Lord, continues forever. Don't abandon me -- for you made me." (Psalm 138:7,8) Regardless of the tribulations of the world or the unwelcomed adversities in our lives, we are never more than a prayer away from attaining the peace that allows us to deal with anything and everything. God says to us, "When he calls on me I will answer; I will be with him in trouble, and rescue him and honor him." (Psalm 91:15) We are not here only to suffer what the world has to offer and then die, but to live, love, and learn. Saint Peter said, "Now we live in the hope of eternal life because Christ rose again from the dead. And God has reserved for his children the priceless gift of eternal life; it is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And God, in his mighty power, will make sure that you get there safely to receive it, because you are trusting in him. It will be yours in that coming last day for all to see. So be truly glad! There is wonderful joy ahead, even though the going is rough for a while down here." (1 Peter 1:3:-6) So let us not be discouraged by that which is temporary. Isaiah 26:3 and 4 says, "He will keep in perfect peace all those who trust in him, whose thoughts turn often to the Lord! Trust in the Lord God always, for in the Lord Jehovah is your everlasting strength." *The above scriptures are from The Living Bible (Paraphrased).
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