HE KNOWS

The life-threatening storm which is ravaging incomes and lives; not only in Great Britain, but world -wide has persisted for over a year.
The standard of living which many people had been used to, have changed, for worse due to economic recession and unemployment.This has been the the lot of millions,including Christians.
We hear of Christians who have lost their jobs ,homes, good health and marriages.
Many Christians are facing an uncertain future of living in deprivation and fear.
Fear of unemployment and loss of their homes and lifestyles.
Children of the Most High God who have served him faithfully and have become victims of the crunch, are bewildered and astonished that the devourer is ravaging even the elect!
Many are weighed down with bitterness that they have not been spared the pain and destabilisation brought on the world by a reckless few who have escaped unscathed , free to enjoy their loot!

This week alone,I have heard some Christians complaining that they are discouraged and tired of praying because they have, or know other Christians who have lost their jobs and are about to lose their homes. People are perplexed and bitter that despite having lived a life of committed service to God; a life of faith, of prayer and worship, of giving their time and money to God's work, there has been no difference between the believer's lot and the nonbelievers'lot.!

"Why me?", Why us?""Have we not prayed enough or exercised faith?"
These questions persist in hearts and minds.
While some are expressing their pain and discouragement vocally, others are confessing the Word saying "It is well; God is in control. We shall overcome this!". But secretly ,seething in their hearts, there is bitterness.
They, silently, question the goodness of God and curse God for these devastating changes in their lives.
God knows every thoughts of our hearts. He knows we are tired and weary.
Our God knows that the Enemy is asking some of us,
" Where is your God?!"
If God knows that his children are affected by the same stormy weather that has come upon others in the world ; why did he not prevent it from coming on us?
He knows and he cares ; what is he doing about it?
He is doing a lot which man cannot discern because his ways are not our ways.
Nothing takes God by surprise because he knows and sees the end from the beginning.
God knew that the inhabitants of the earth , including his children, will be shaken by this world-wide storm of economic affliction ; long before any man saw it coming.
He has seen all the economic summits,the crisis- management meetings and economic salvage plans of the nations of the earth.
He knows the final outcome of all our efforts to revive our economies.
It is hard to believe this , but right now, I can sense that his thoughts for mankind are thoughts of peace and not of evil.
God is able to bring good out of evil.Even as he purges the earth.
That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west,that there is none beside me. I am the Lord, and there is none else.
I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace,and create evil:
I the Lord do all these things. Isaiah 45:6,7
He who creates light and darkness; who makes war and peace; who creates good and evil; does he not know the difference between his children and others?
He knows.

Did he promise that his people will never experience pain, loss and failure?
No. He did not promise us a life void of challenges.
Challenges will come ; but we shall triumph because he has gotten us the victory.
These things I have spoken unto you , that in me you might have peace.
In the world ye shall have tribulations: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.John 16:33.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all. Psalm 34 :19

When and how will he answer and put a stop to all these problems ?
He is the Sovereign God; he alone knows when and how he will do it.
Our assurance is: we have a child-like faith that he knows and he cares.This is his promise to Jacob,to Israel; to us , his Church:
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 Saviour;
Isaiah 43:2,3.(NIV)
My prayer is that God would heal every broken heart and build every ruined life. Amen.