Have Faith in God
But then I was faced with the reality that not everyone felt as elated as I. To some, the results of this election seemed to bring fear and panic, and a sense of financial instability. For me, not having any real savings or stocks and being totally dependent on social security and a very small government pension, has its benefits. Nothing to lose. But for those whose livelihood is based on a 401K or other type of retirement savings account, the news from the stock market created a great feeling of insecurity and grave concerns about the future. Even though the experts remind the world that this is only a temporary setback and will soon recover, for those not having that kind of foresight there is major anxiety.
While contemplating this apparent calamity in the lives of those around us, the chorus to an old hymn kept pressing into my heart:
"Have faith in God,
He's on His throne;
Have faith in God,
He watches o'er His own;
He cannot fail,
He must prevail;
Have faith in God, Have faith in God!"
The last verse of this hymn also seems appropriate at this particular juncture:
"Have faith in God tho' all else fail about you;
Have faith in God, He provides for His own;
He cannot fail tho' all kingdoms shall perish,
He rules, He reigns upon His throne!"
But perhaps not everyone understands or has confidence in having faith in God. And I would be insensitive to flippantly say that is what one should do when they feel their world is crashing down around them. Faith in God is not something that is learned overnight or easily understood. It may take years of learning to trust in the One true and living God, learned only through personal trials of loss and God's provision, sorrow and regained peace, heartache and restored joy. This does not come easily, and I have learned that it only comes when I am willing to surrender my control over the things around me...my finances, my home, family, job, health, world events, wars, elections, friendships, and the list goes on and on. When I recognize that I never had control over those things anyway, it frees me to rest in the Lord and let Him take charge.
Psalm 33:18-22 speaks comfort to my soul and hopefully to any out there who are struggling today:
"Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him,
on those who hope in His mercy,
to deliver their soul from death,
to keep them alive in famine.
Our soul waits for the Lord;
He is our help and our shield.
For our heart shall rejoice in Him,
because we have trusted in His holy name.
Let Your mercy, O Lord,
be upon us,
just as we hope in You."
"Have Faith in God!"
Psalm 34:8-9 says:
"Oh taste and see that the Lord is good;
Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
O, fear the Lord, you His saints!
There is no want to those who fear Him."
Amen. I pray God's name and His Word will be exalted in this nation. I pray that the newly elected leaders will be strong in the Lord and not give in to pressure from evil influences.
ReplyDeleteThe stock market will even out and those of us who are thrilled with the results will one day be able to look back and know that we helped save the USA for our children and grandchildren. I truly believe we would be doomed had Hillary won. Praise God always. He is in control!!
ReplyDeleteAmen...
DeleteOh yes! Amen!!
DeleteWOHOO!!!
ReplyDelete:) Amen! You made me smile!
DeleteMy first words texted to my husband this morning (he leaves so early for work, I'm not up then) were "Thanks be to God!" I have prayed and prayed over this election, Pamela; like you, I felt our entire future as one nation under God has been under attack these past eight years. But I always prayed, too, that God's will be done. I think it has come to pass.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Oh yes, Thanks be to God! Now we just need to continue to pray for our new President and his family, and for our nation to heal. It's going to be a long process, judging by the way people are reacting. So thankful for praying friends!
DeleteI've found that I have "grown into" my faith in God. I've already seen Face Book posts related to protests against our new president. Sigh. I pray that all this will settle down. Have a blessed day.
ReplyDeleteYes, our faith continues to grow as we grow and change and experience new things in our lives. So thankful that our Lord is with us each step of the way, even when we may not "feel" His presence. Yes, we need to pray for our nation and our new president and his family. Too much craziness out there. Hope your day is blessed as well.
Delete" Faith in God is not something that is learned overnight or easily understood. It may take years of learning to trust in the One true and living God, learned only through personal trials of loss and God's provision, sorrow and regained peace, heartache and restored joy. This does not come easily, and I have learned that it only comes when I am willing to surrender my control over the things around me...my finances, my home, family, job, health, world events, wars, elections, friendships, and the list goes on and on" I like this statement. Faith DOES NOT happen instantly. We are not in control of anything in our environment; we just think we are. A friend asked me if I was happy the way the election went. In all honesty, I would not have been happy either way. But that's just me.
ReplyDeleteObviously, this was not a perfect situation either way, but we have to learn to accept the choices that have been made and move on with faith and trust in God...He will take care of us regardless of who is in command here. And we need to love one another regardless of party affiliation, etc. Family and friends are more important that political issues.
DeleteI think that regardless of what peoples personal preferences are it is now time to move on and let the president elect get on with his new job. And yes, I believe God is in control of it all.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your prayers, they are very much appreciated.
Diana