An Anchor that Holds in Today's World

The other evening as Marlys and I sat in the living room - I was reading the newspaper and she was reading several blogs on her ipad - I made the comment that the world seemed to be coming apart at the seams.  All I had read in the newspaper were stories of riots, of murders, of assaults, of disrespect of individuals.  I made a list of those countries whose stories were included in the paper that day: riots in Ukraine, violence and near civil war in South Sudan, fears of turmoil in Uganda, civil war in Central African Republic, terrorist attacks in Russia just before the Olympics, suicide attacks in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan claiming dozens of lives, the perceived threat of China against Japan, and rockets flying from Gaza into Southern Israel with Israel's retaliation.  And that did not even include all the stories occurring here in our country: a stock market that has suddenly seemed to have lost its footing, drought in California that will soon impact most of us in the grocery aisles, the celebration of gay marriage at the Grammy Awards, and who can forget the weather that keeps most of the country in misery this winter. 

As I sat there reading story after story, I came to realize that if a person did not have a relationship with a Sovereign God, there would be reason to be filled with despair and a sense of hopelessness.  The question is raised, "Whom do you trust?"  Trust in our governmental leaders, from the President down through Congress to the local level, continues to deteriorate.  Trust in our financial institutions and Wall Street also is less than stable - rising one day, down the next.  Trust in our educational institutions is waning as many parents wrestle with just what is being taught in the classroom - or, should I say, what is not being taught in the classroom.  Trust in our churches also is at historic lows as people ask themselves, "What does my church believe and stand for?"  There is an ebb and flow that seems to pervade every aspect of life today, not only here but around the globe.    The result is that people have lost their moorings.  There seems to be no place to securely anchor their lives.  In fact, many people really have lost an interest in what is happening around them.  Apathy and indifference are growing.

Friends, isn't it good to know that our God is in control over all these situations.  I am reminded of the words of the Psalmist David, "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God" (Psalm 20:7).  Or, these words from the Psalmist David, written when he was being pursued by Saul and was forced to flee into the camp of the Philistines, "When I am afraid, I will trust in you.  In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid.  What can mortal man do to me?" (Psalm 56:3-4).  Friends, our trust is to be in the Lord God.  He is our stronghold.  He is our refuge.  He is our fortress.  He is the one upon whom we can anchor our lives.  And He is in control!  These past few months I have read Psalm 2 many times.  I think it is an appropriate one for the days in which we are living.  Allow me to quote the final few verses, "Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth.  Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling.  Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment.  Blessed are all who take refuge in him." (Psalm 2:10-12). 

Yes, I will continue reading the newspaper.  Yes, I will continue reading blogs.  Yes, I will continue keeping abreast of what is happening in the world around us.  But, no, I will not become discouraged with what I read.  No, I won't lose sleep at night worrying.  It is because my trust is in the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.  My trust is in the God of creation who has promised that He would never leave me or forsake me.  Allow me to share one more passage of Scripture that has powerful meaning to us concerning God's faithfulness.  Paul, in writing to Timothy, said, "If we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself" (1 Timothy 2:13).  Now there is a promise a person can anchor his or her soul and life upon.