“But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed,
but of those who believe and are saved.”
(Hebrews 10:39)
Thoughts… The first thing I saw in the headlines early this morning was “Wall Street In A Freefall!” The byline went on to say that the Dow has fallen 400 points in early trading after traders got bad news from the financial markets in Europe and Asia. Fear led to panic, and our panicked financial markets have brought the economy to the brink of recession. Of course, there are other factors at work in this uncertain economic environment, but there seems to be a steady stream of very bad news from Wall Street these days.
And for sure, bad news on Wall Street quickly trickles down to Main Street where you and I live, negatively impacting our bottom line and affecting our sense of security. Jobs are being lost, retirement plans are vaporizing, investments are disappearing, homes are being lost—and the spirit of fear is driving ordinary folk to high anxiety and emotional panic.
So what is a believer to do during these frightening financial times? How about going to the Word of God for counsel and assurance. God’s Word is your only truly competent source for wisdom. The Bible is eternal and unchanging. It will be here long after Wall Street is swept into the dustbin of history, guiding those who will follow its precepts to physical, emotional, relational, and yes, financial, but most importantly, spiritual abundance.
How might God’s Word speak to us in this current financial crisis enveloping our planet? Read careful, slowly, and absorbingly what the writer says in Hebrews 10:32-39,
Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering. Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. (Italics added) So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For in just a very little while, “He who is coming will come and will not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him.” But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.
Wow! How relevant and instructive is that to our current situation! Here’s the deal friend: As you walk through this financial meltdown, you have a choice to make. You can either give in to fear—you can shrink back. Or you can walk by faith. What’s it going to be?
God’s Word calls you to walk by faith. Even if your earthly wealth and material possessions end up getting battered by this difficult economic reality, don’t throw away your confidence in God and don’t shrink back from what faith calls you to do, because God will see you through and he will reward you. That is his promise, not mine. And he never breaks a promise!
So, don’t shrink back. In fact, now is the time to take a bold step of faith. I want to pose a challenging question to you today, and your answer may just lead you to a critical step that in many ways will define the rest of your life. It will determine scarcity or blessing, insecurity or stability, fear or joy, failure or success. Here it is:
What is faith calling you to do?
It won’t be easy, but reject fear and take that step of faith. And as you do, remember what God has said, “the righteous will live by faith!”
Prayer… Lord, I refuse to take my cues from Wall Street. I will follow what your Word says about ordering my financial life. I will follow after faith and refuse to give in to fear. And I will trust you to richly reward my confidence in you!
One More Thing… “Wicked men obey from fear; good men, from love.” — Augustine
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