Manna in the Morning

Almost every edition of the newspaper that you can pick up will have various references to a “lack of peace in the world.” We hear about war in Libya... we’re still fighting in Afghanistan... the Middle East continues to strive for some semblance of peace... the people of Japan are unsettled... even in our own country and sometimes within our own families there is a lack of harmony. Was Longfellow right when he penned the words, “There is no peace on earth I said”? Jesus once said to His followers, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) J. Oswald Sanders wrote: “Peace is not the absence of conflict from life, but the ability to cope with it. Peace is not the absence of trouble, but the presence of God.” To be sure the world hungers for peace and it will never come because (apologies to the country song) they are “looking for peace in all the wrong places!” There is only one sure place to find peace and that is in Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. Claim the peace and share it with others today!

The Apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in Rome about the kind of living that is required of Christians for day in and day out commitment. Part of what he said in Romans 12 was, “Rejoice in hope.” Someone has said that one of the main things our world is really short on is “hope.” But because of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ we have the hope that will carry us through any valley. Earthquakes may hit... tsunamis may barge in... death may rear its ugly head and life sometimes is very difficult... but we have much to hope about. This life may have its trials and troubles but God is greater. We may have to deal with burdens and difficulties but God is greater! It may look like evil is winning the day... but God is greater! Satan may win some battles but he will not win the war! Jesus conquered death and in doing so conquered Satan and his plans... so we can truly “rejoice in hope!” There is no reason to despair... God will have the victory and those who are His will share in it. So today make up your mind to “rejoice in hope!”

The death toll in Japan continues to rise and probably will for some time. The devastation is beyond our grasp. While the damage is being assessed the big question continues to be asked, “Why?” Why does a God that is reputed to be loving and just allow such disasters to occur in His world? As a part of the answer to that question one needs to read the first three chapters of the Bible to be reminded that the world that God created was good... in fact, very good, until sin entered. God granted man a free-will to choose good or evil. In choosing to sin the world in which we live became infected until God provided the cure through His Son, Jesus Christ. Before sin there was only harmony and beauty. After sin entered there was disharmony and ugliness. Evil and suffering are alien intrusions into God’s good world. The Bible says that even creation itself groans for that day when God will once again put all things right and evil will be eradicated. Between now and then Jesus said we will have tribulation and troubles. He followed that statement with, “Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world!” (John 16:33) A good friend of mine prayed this prayer the Sunday after 9/11, “Bad things happen... but God is still good.” Our prayer is that the people of Japan will turn to God for the strength that He can provide to endure this present crises.