The end of October and the start of November brought two huge events that will impact our
nation for years to come. One was the end to on ongoing political storm and the other a
blast from nature that rocked nearly 25% of the nation’s citizens.The first was Hurricane Sandy, called by many ‘The Perfect Storm’. Her fury was fueled through a rare merger with two other weather systems that drove the monster ashore with ground zero being New Jersey and New York City. Typically a coastal Hurricane will drift out to sea before striking the most densely populated part of the country. Not this time. Sandy, which was also dubbed by some experts as ‘Frankenstorm’, caused some eight million people to lose power and for long periods of time. There are actually some who are still without. The devastation was immense even farther inland, but especially along the coast where the damage figures could easily rival or exceed that of Katrina.
A week after the historic storm hit the U.S. coast, a long time political storm also
finally came to an end when incumbent Barak Obama defeated Mitt Romney to gain another 4
years in office. The President won convincingly in the electoral vote. But the popular
vote was evenly split revealing what most already knew to be true. America is, and has
been for some time now, a divided nation in their views and dreams for the present
solutions and for the future course of their country. But regardless of who won the White
House, the challenge remains the same. The large and lingering economic, and other,
national problems have taken a toll on multiple millions and caused many to lose hope and
almost dread what lies ahead for them and their families.Enter the holidays. Just as the death toll becomes finalized and the damage figures more clear, so do the plans by the President to fix a very broken, divided and somewhat depressed nation. For scores under his extended leadership daily life remains depressing and hope seems distant. And yet, for those who reside, not just in America, but who are also citizens of the heavenly realm via Jesus Christ, joy, victory, peace and hope all remain and are real. But there is a catch.
Christians are susceptible to problems and pressures just like those who know not God in
a personal way. But where they part company is in their ability to face whatever life
brings with a “peace that passes all understanding” according to the truth seen in
Philippians 4:17. This great blessing and benefit is part of the salvation in addition to
the forgiveness of sins and a certain future with God forever in heaven some day. Peace
in good times or in the bad is something money cannot buy but is something all men
desperately crave. It has been long known that many of the most depressed and lonely
people alive are many times those possessing far more materials things than they can ever
use.Then too is the greater issue found in question form in Mark chapter 8 by very one who Himself bought and paid for redemption by His own sacrifice for all. In verse 36 Jesus posed the greatest inquiry that can be asked and answered. He asked, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul ? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”
Possessing and enjoying that special inner peace, hope and confidence promised by God comes with certain conditions. One primary one is closely related to the coming holiday. Paul, in Philippians 4:6 stated, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with ‘thanksgiving’, let your requests be made known to God.” Thankfulness is no small matter to God, and is something He desires for believers. The degree of importance of this mindset and action is seen in 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18. We read there, “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
If you find yourself today in a joyless or fearful state of mind with the cares of this
world strangling the peace and hope of being united with Christ, take a careful inventory
on the blessings and opportunities you have with and through Him. And make a serious
attempt to follow the admonitions seen in Philippians 4:8-9 and the result of doing so.
“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things
are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of
good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on
these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these
do, and the God of peace will be with you.And then offer Him serious and continual praise. If this really is the “will of God concerning you” you will soon find the power and the peace to fully contend and even rise above the minor and mega-storms that will always come ashore in life in this fallen world.
“But THANKS be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:56-57)
Bill Breckenridge
