I Know Who Holds The Future
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin ArticlesOn this Memorial Day, we not only observe and remember our fallen military heroes (also see Ms. Malkin’s tribute) that have given their lives for our country and our freedoms, we also observe the fact that there are many besetting economic and moral issues which America now faces (cf. Isaiah 1:1-15).
The question is, “Can man alone solve these issues?” The obvious answer is “no,” because no acceptable solutions have been forthcoming. The prophet Jeremiah tells us that man cannot and is unable to direct his own steps (Jeremiah 10:23). Only when man’s thinking is in complete alignment and agreement with God’s thinking (Isaiah 1:18; cf. Amos 3:1-3; Mark 12:28; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5), can any of these issues ever be resolved.
At the dedication of the temple (2 Chronicles 6), Solomon prayed, asking God to remember His people [nation of Israel] when they sinned against him. The criteria for their maintaining a right relationship before God was to (1) confess their sins before Him, and (2) to repent [a change of mindset resulting in a changed lifestyle] of their evil lifestyles (cf. 1 John 1:6-9; Acts 17:30-31). God would then hear their prayer and forgive them (2 Chronicles 6:26-39; 2 Chronicles 7:12-14).
The same exact solution is still available for us today as individuals and as a nation. If we are willing to confess our sins before God, and forsake them (Proverbs 28:13), God will heal our nation — and not a moment before.
The question is, “Do we want to continue to wallow in the miry pigpen of sin and rebellion against God (Luke 15:11-16; cf. Proverbs 26:11; 2 Peter 2:22), or do we want to come to our spiritual senses and return to God?” (Luke 15:17-24). The choice is always ours (Joshua 24:14-15).
I don’t know what the future holds, but I know “Who” holds the future (Daniel 4:17,25,32; Job 12; cf. Acts 17:24-28; Hebrews 1:1-3; Hebrews 2:9-18).