The Need of Our World
The world of our day is filled with greed, hate, hypocrisy, dishonesty, suspicion, strife, infidelity, atheism, immorality, and a wide variety of false doctrines. The very forces which undermined and affected the downfall and ruin of Babylon, Greece, Rome, and other ancient nations are at work in our own country. Those ancient nations went the way of error, luxury, ease, intemperance, immorality, and indifference.
It is possible, however, for one to be too pessimistic in his view of the future. Things may not be as bad as they seem. In other days men have been equally gloomy in their pronouncements concerning the future. There are a few things which we should remember when we contemplate world conditions. Among these we suggest:
1. We should remember, "Righteousness exalteth a nation; but sin is a reproach of any people" (Proverbs 14:34). Our nation is a so-called "Christian Nation." This is certainly a reckless use of the word "Christian." Any nation that spends as much as this nation does on strong drink and crime alone is unworthy of the term "Christian." It is righteousness rather than political or military power that exalts a nation. A nation is not secure merely because of its military might; France was well armed behind their "invincible Maginot Line," yet she was not strong. By reason of her vices she was nationally weak. The urgent need of the nations today is righteous people who are the salt of the earth.
2. God still lives, and He governs the universe (Daniel 4:35). His power is operative in determining the destinies of nations and individuals. Paul said in his great Mars Hill address: "And he made of one every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed seasons, and the bounds of their habitation" (Acts 17:26 ASV). This means that God determines how long nations shall be in power and and how far their dominion shall be extended. There are many unexpected changes in the affairs of nations that cannot be understood, except that God determines their appointed seasons and the bounds of their habitation. A case in point is the amazing things which have so recently occurred in the Soviet Union. Nebuchadnezzar had to eat grass seven years to learn that, "The Most High ruleth in the kingdoms of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will" (Daniel 4:25).
3. A loving Father will not forget His children, but He will cause all things to "work together for good" for His faithful children (Romans 8:28). Further, it should be pointed out that God sometimes has chastened His people through the instrumentality of wicked nations. He certainly did that for ancient Israel's good, though they did not always understand and appreciate this. "All chastening seemeth for the present to be not joyous but grievous; yet afterward it yieldeth peaceable fruit unto them that have been exercised thereby, even the fruit of righteousness" (Hebrews 12:11). The Israelites, after the Babylonian captivity, have not worshipped idols as they did before that bitter experience. Let us hope that the suspense and uncertainty and problems of our time, including those we must face in the church, will bring us closer to God.
4. Finally, we should not forget that, regardless of what may be in store for our nation and the people of the world, in the immediate or remote future, God will provide His saints with resources that will be equal to the needs of the hour. In his farewell address to Israel, Moses, the servant of God, foretold in minute detail the things that would befall the Jews if they were disobedient to God. However, he also encouraged them by telling them that God would do for them if they would remain faithful. He said, "The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms" (Deuteronomy 33:27). Paul was able to meet and cope with hardships of life because he drew his strength from the Lord (Philippians 4:13).
From our Archives, 1992
By: Garland Elkins