October 29, 1929.The stock market crashes and sets off a world-wide collapse of share values and triggers the “Great Depression.”There were 10 years of economic slump with catastrophic levels of unemployment in the industrialized countries of the world.Many lost fortunes and some in the throes of despair gave up and took their own lives.
No doubt, some will see similarities between autumn of 1929 and autumn of 2008.Many have lost thousands of dollars.People who were counting on the income from investments to fund their retirements are now wondering how they will survive.For others, money they were counting on for various purchases, or payments, or even for Christmas is not there.Some speculate that it could take 8 years or even longer before the markets bounce back and people can regain the profits of their investments.In the meantime what do we do?
As Christians we know the future of the markets is out of our hands, and is in God’s hands.What will the Lord do?He may not tell us what he intends to do with the markets.But as always, he does tell us what we need to know.He assures us that he is still in control (Psalm 115:3), and is always working for the good of his church, that is his believers (Ephesians 1:22-23).
As with all times of testing, we find comfort in knowing that the Lord loves us and is always working for us.He will help us through all hardships and will bring out the blessings he knows are best for us.King David says, “Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD” (Psalm 27:14 NIV).Easy to say, not so easy to do—wait for the Lord.Put your confidence in him.Keep on striving to live for the Lord and be faithful to him.Be sure he will work everything out in his own time and way.Be certain he will take care of things.He will take care of you.
Wait for the Lord.As we prepare to celebrate Christmas, we remember how God’s people waited in the past.The Lord had promised his Son would come to pay for our sins and rescue us from eternal punishment.God gave the people these promises and then called on them to wait for him to act when he knew the time was right.St. Paul reminds us, “But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons”(Galatians 4:4-5 NIV).When the Lord knew the time was right he sent his Son and accomplished our salvation.
The Lord had his plan then and he has his plan for us now.Whether it is losses in the stock market or struggles with our health, or searching for a job, the Lord is guiding you on the course that he knows is best for you.He will help you and he will work all things out for you.
Christmas reminds us again of how the Lord loves us.He loved us so much that he gave his one and only Son for us.Why?So that we will not perish but have eternal life.My life on earth may never be what I’d like it to be, but I know God has made me his child.He will help and bless me in all things.And I know something better by far is waiting for me.
“Wait for the Lord.”This is not always so easy to do.Waiting for the Lord is a matter of faith, and my faith isn’t always what it should be.What does God provide to bolster of struggling faith?The promises of his Word.The Spirit works through these to strengthen and sustain my faith.The promises of God’s Word assure me that no matter what the Lord loves me and has his plan for me—a plan to love me, help me, and bless me and ultimately give me eternal life.
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