The 21st century is turning out to be frighteningly unpredictable. As technology scampers ahead at breakneck speed, companies that were toasted yesterday are today simply toast. The Blackberry has given way to the iPhone, “brick and mortar” bookshops have been pushed aside by amazon.com, and MySpace has been supplanted by Facebook (which is being challenged by Google+). Few businesses can rest on their reputation, for the same technology that gives Google, Amazon and Apple the edge today may empower competitors to leapfrog them tomorrow.
If you’re one of the fortunate few who has a secure job, what should you do with the money you earn? Savings accounts pay almost nothing and stocks seem riskier than a roulette wheel. Ultimately it may not matter, for heavy debt loads may prompt countries to print more money, leading to runaway inflation that will siphon the value from everyone’s savings.
Our unstable times call for long gulps from Psalm 46, which reminds us that God is not worrying about this perilous period (Psalm 46:1). Tsunamis may sweep over our highest mountains, pulling them back into the sea, yet God remains firmly in control of every circumstance (Psalm 46:2). And He will help us, for “God’s voice thunders, and the earth melts! The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress” (Psalm 46:6-7).
The natural response to a tsunami is to scream and run for the hills. But when our highest mountains are falling into the ocean, there’s no natural place to hide. The supernatural response is counterintuitive, but it’s our only hope for salvation. We must follow the psalmist’s prescription to slow down—to “be still, and know that I am God!” (Psalm 46:10).
Are storm clouds gathering over your job? Stop, know and rest in Him.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Matthew 1:1-25
More:
Read Isaiah 6:1-8 to learn what encouraged Isaiah in the depressing year that his godly king died.
Next:
How might the tumult of our uncertain times enable us to clearly see whether we’re trusting God or something else? How does the way you think and live reveal what you truly trust in?
Kathy @ In Quiet Places on June 9, 2012 at 11:27 am
The slowing down and knowing Him is when we see with our eyes of faith that our God is Sovereign and this causes our trust to grow deeper. (The kind of trust we will need when the mountains are crashing around us.)
It keeps me in awe that an Almighty God wants to draw near to me – and for me to be still and draw near to Him!
mike wittmer on June 9, 2012 at 12:11 pm
That is so true, Kathy. I only stop praying when I forget what a privilege it is. Why wouldn’t I want to talk to the God who has time for me?