How to Respond to World Events

Is there anything bothering you these days?

Do you feel at all unsettled or insecure?

Are you sensing a threat?

If so, you and I have a lot in common. 

Call me crazy, but I think there are a lot of us.

God crept into my devotions the other day and set me on a sturdy asbestos raft.

I went to the Isaiah passage because it's been a lifeline to me since my father's death in 1988. I'm always drawn deeper into my personal relationship with the Almighty in the opening verses. 

This time it was verse 3 that caught my attention.

For I am the LORD, your God, 
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; 
I give Egypt for your ransom, 
Cush and Seba in your stead. 

The realization of God's great care over His people Israel in releasing them from their bondage to Pharoah crept over me. He not only took the Egyptians through the 10 plagues and sent their riches off with the fleeing Israelites. He also drowned the entire Egyptian army. This biblical episode speaks volumes of the length to which God will go to redeem those who are His.

I have a grateful understanding of the way God works in the lives of individuals. The biblical accounts of Esther, Naomi, Mary, the Samaritan woman, and many others bring me courage and hope as I make my way in this fallen world. God has a specific plan for my life that includes purpose and good, and He will bring it to pass by by His sovereign and loving hand. 

This broader idea that the King of heaven is orchestrating the lives of nations on behalf of His Church is something new for me to ponder. If God would go to such lengths to rescue and restore His people, those chosen by name, a remnant, in the Old and New Testament AND His character is immutable (not open to change), then it's reasonable to consider that this same God is accomplishing the same task today.

I'm as bothered, unsettled, insecure, threatened by current events as the next person. 

But Alpha and Omega is at work. There can be no doubt. 

I will not sell Elohim short.

I call for Him to act as He sees fit to glorify His Name. 

Hallelujah!

But now, this is what the LORD says - 
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name;
you are mine.
When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
For I am the LORD, your God, 
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; 
I give Egypt for your ransom, 
Cush and Seba in your stead. 
Since you are precious and honored in my sight, 
and because I love you, 
I will give men in exchange for you, 
and people in exchange for your life. 
Do not be afraid, for I am with you, 
I will bring your children from the east 
and gather you from the west. 
I will say to the north, 'Give them up!' 
and to the south, 'Do not hold them back.'
Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth - 
everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made."  Isaiah 43:1-7  (NIV 1984)