The opening line of novel The Tale of Two Cities reads, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...." Charles Dickens' famous novel is set during the times of the bloody French Revolution, a time of great upheaval and violent change. Sounds like a contradiction in terms, huh? But those conditions appear to be very similar to what we face today—terrorist violence, crime, natural disasters and last but not least, economic turmoil on a scale few of us have ever witnessed.
But I genuinely believe that with these enormous challenges come unprecedented opportunities to witness the power of God moving in our lives, our families and our nation. It is a sad indictment that during these challenging times we are seem to be inundated with messages from the church "prophets of doom and gloom." (Anybody remember the Y2K fiasco?)
Unfortunately, I have been deluged with messages from supposed "believers" who are prophesying everything from depression to war and famine. The latest "prophecy" is that New Zealand will be invaded and conquered. By whom, I ask—the penguins from the Antarctic?
Fear is rife, and not just in the world—but the church. May I remind you what the Bible says, that without faith it is impossible to please him! Impossible! Yes, He loves us—but without faith we are not pleasing to Him!
What did God instruct Joshua when he faced seemingly insurmountable odds? Run and hide? No, he told Joshua to be strong and courageous. (Joshua chapter 1). In fact he told him that at least four times in the one chapter! What about Gideon when he was hiding in the wine press from the Midianites? God sent and angel who addressed him as "You mighty man of valor!"
And what did God have to say about the 10 spies who returned from spying out the Promised Land? He called it an "evil report"! (Num. 14:37). He later added that those who brought such a report would never enter into the Promised Land. (Num. 14:28- 30). "But Caleb [and Joshua] because they have a different spirit and have followed me fully, them will I bring into the land...."
What is this different spirit the Lord speaks of in Caleb? I believe it's referring to a spirit of faith that Caleb and Joshua possessed—while the rest were ruled by a spirit of fear. Notice that both groups faced the same problems—something over which they had no control. But the one thing they did have control over was their response to the conditions they faced.
Second Timothy 1:7 says that God has not given to us a spirit of fear. While Proverbs says the righteous are as bold as lion. Many times when Jesus was confronted with sickness, death and huge problems the first thing that came out His mouth was "fear not"! Was the Lord trying to tell us something about the way we are to face the circumstances of life? Or did he simply fail to comprehend the gravity of the situations we might be facing?
The history of the Christian Church is one of conquest in times of challenge—who ever heard of an "overcomer" who never overcame anything? That sounds more like an "undertaker" than an "overcomer"! We may not be able to control the situations and conditions we are confronted with, but we can control the way and manner in which we respond. Let me leave you with this thought.
Change your thoughts and you change your world!
You are strong—the Word of God says you are! You are blessed!
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