Do you enjoy a good ‘cliff-hanger?’ The stories are similar and familiar. Our literature, films, television, and radio, very often show characters who are in distress and cannot help themselves. They struggle through fluctuating fortunes, flowing this way and that, like tidal waters, lurching towards the precipice, speedily advancing to the conclusion, which keeps the reader, viewer or listener wondering if the story will end in an outstanding victory or a devastating defeat. The story moves forward, like travelling on a roller coaster, sometimes slowly and smoothly, sometimes fast and confusingly. Then, the superheroes come to the rescue, bravely fighting adversity, confronting difficulty, overturning disaster and even death.
For many people today, life is just like that; but it is not fiction ~ it is reality. The pandemic, redundancy, financial hardship, family difficulties, extreme loneliness, ill health and very real poverty confront millions today. The cry goes up, ‘Who can help us?’ ~ ‘Where are the superheroes bringing us hope?’
Where do we stand today in the UK as a second wave of Covid-19 is expected imminently, as the numbers of cases increase? Someone on the radio said, ‘Science will ride to the rescue.’ For many people today, science is worshipped as ‘God’ and cannot be wrong, and scientists are ‘mini-gods’. But is that really the answer, to put our faith in science? I was reminded of what King David wrote:
“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.”
To whom do we cry for help? In whom do we put our trust? To whom do we turn? To whom do we pray for help? What on earth is happening? The Word of God clearly tells us that throughout the world, all nations are in an increasingly dreadful and disastrous mess because we have ignored the Lord God our Creator. That is called sin. And things will get progressively worse until we humble ourselves before the Lord and cry out to Him for His grace, merciful intervention, and forgiveness for our sinfulness.
Today, Godless nations are floundering in their confusion as they try to find the best way forward through the conflicting advice of the scientists and politicians. But God, in His great love and grace says to us,
“If anyone lacks wisdom, he should ask God, Who gives generously to all without finding fault.”
Isn’t that wonderful? That is why Christians stand firm today and say,
‘Some trust in politicians and some in scientists, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.’
It is possible to stand firm in these days of disaster, as we look in assurance to the Lord God Almighty,
“for our help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
Some say, hopefully, ‘the worst is over’, we are ‘through the pandemic’; others seek the ‘magic vaccine’ to solve all the problems, which reminds me of the old Westerns where beleaguered residents waited for the Cavalry to ride to the rescue. But there is no magic answer ~ there is no Cavalry coming over the hill ~ there are no superheroes displaying amazing powers.
But t
here is Calvary. For there on the cross, God demonstrated His great love for us, as His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, died once and for all, in our place. There, He defeated death, hell, sickness and all sinfulness. He now offers forgiveness and eternal life, free from suffering in His presence for ever, to all who humble themselves, recognise their sin and ask for His forgiveness and cleansing. There is no other answer to the sinfulness, lawlessness, chaos, confusion and rebellion of the world today ~ whatever men may say.
One day, “at the name of Jesus, every knee will bow … and every tongue wil confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.”
There is still time to know Him as your Saviour ~ will you bow the knee in humble adoration ~ today?
Ron Brickman