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A Faith to Live By

Many are experiencing financial difficulties due to the economic downturn our nation is experiencing. We all have friends and/or family members who have lost their jobs and some who have even lost their homes.

The Bureau of Labor reports:

“The national unemployment rate was 8.9 percent in April 2009, seasonally adjusted, up from 8.5 percent the prior month and from 5.0 percent a year earlier.”
(Source: BLS.gov, Mass Layoffs, Monthly – May 2009.)

These are challenging times in which to live, and while many have placed their trust in temporal things, they now see that foundation is not as sure as they once thought it was.

I invite you to seek refuge in the sure rock of Christ Jesus. And while the Christian has eternal security in which to place his hope, he also has the temporal security of knowing that God is his help, refuge, and strength.

Scripture tell us:

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
"Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
"Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.
Selah.
"There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
"God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.”
(Psalm 46: 1-5 KJV)

Arthur W. Pink (1886 – 1952) wrote this during the Great Depression, “The saddest feature to us which is now presented by the worldwide ‘Depression,’ is not the material destitution which has overtaken millions of our fellow creatures, but the spiritual poverty of so many of our dear Brethren and Sisters in Christ...

“Now three things are indispensable if we are to enjoy God's blessings, rather than suffer His chastisements.

“First, all known sin—past as well as present—must be repented of, confessed, and forsaken (Proverbs 28:13). It is unpardoned sins which withhold good things from us (Jer. 5:25). This principle has always obtained, and will unto the end of time.

“Second, real trust in the Lord: ‘According unto your faith be it unto you’ (Matt. 9:29). Even the promises of God avail us not unless they be personally ‘embraced’ (Heb. 11:13). ‘You have not, because you ask not’ (James 4:2)—ask not with a real, living, expectant, persistent faith.

“Third, an honest effort to serve Him: God will not place a premium upon disobedience. In keeping His commandments there is ‘great reward’ (Psalm 19:11). True, we do not purchase God's favors; nevertheless, in His moral government of the world, He stands pledged to recompense the righteous ‘in the earth’
(Proverbs 11:31).”
(Source: Arthur W. Pink, Sound the Alarm, GraceGems.org)

May we live and trust God in such a way that others will see we truly have a faith to live by. Amen.
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