Hope For The Present Hour

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth - Psalm 46:10.

In the current economic climate, there is a lot of uncertainty as the nation prepares for austerity measures. There are fears and projections of job cuts, reduction in government funding etc. In many places, people are afraid of what the future might bring. I believe that the Lord desires to speak to his people at this time. The first thing we need to remind ourselves of as the people of God is that the workings of the world are all in the hands of God. They work to ultimately achieve His purpose, and nothing can happen to God’s people without God’s knowledge. The seemingly random events of the times are not in fact so. Scripture tells us that even evil is controlled by God. Isaiah 54:16 says ‘Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy.’  We will consider two topics as we proceed; firstly, Hold Fast To Your God and secondly, Know Your God.

The first thing God would have us know is that this is a time to hold fast to Him. It is not a time to draw back in self help or unbelief. A lot of the time, we think drawing back means going into sin, but it is more subtle. If in the past you had been relying on God prayerfully before taking any step and now you begin to use ‘common sense’ then you are drawing back. Scripture says ‘Now the just shall live by faith but if any man draws back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him’. Habakkuk 2:4. In times like this, waiting on God for His leading and direction or even following them can seem crazy in human terms. However, let us remember that the way of God has never been the popular route. Genesis 26:12 tells us ‘Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him’.  The period referred to here was a time of  famine and yet the Lord gave him the go-ahead to sow, and  he got a supernatural increase (crazy by human standards). We also need to be careful if perchance the Lord is blessing us at this time, not to become puffed up or to think it is by our own cleverness or ability. We must remember that it is not by power nor by might but by the Spirit of God. Many people have brilliant ideas but only those that the Lord blesses become successful. If you have a promise from the Lord, or a prophecy that had been spoken over your life, don’t throw it away. Even if reality seems to be mocking those promises, remember, faithful is He that promised who will also do it. Please do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.

It is a great privilege to know and be able to communicate with God. The man who knows His God will rest secure from the fears that plague the rest of the world. He will know that the elements, the times and the seasons all move according to the commands of God. This is a time not only to hold unto God but to start getting to know Him, His will and his nature. Then we can be like the sons of Issachar that had an understanding of the times and knew what Israel ought to do. Only by prayer, reading scriptures, taking time to meditate and waiting for God to speak can we get to know him. He is the wisdom spoken of repeatedly in the book of Proverbs. He tells us to receive ‘my instruction and not silver and knowledge rather than choice gold’ Proverbs 8:10.  Verse 12 says, 'I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions....Riches and honour are with me; yea durable riches and righteousness'.  Our God has made provision for us not only to be confident when the world is afraid and men are saying there is a casting down, but also to have riches that are durable. What I find more rewarding is that he will also add righteousness to it. They will not be riches that will take us away from him.
In conclusion, I will quote these words which have helped those who have gone ahead of us, from Psalm 46, 'God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea......God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved: God shall help her and that right early'.

Remain blessed and highly favoured. 

Titi Obishai (MRS)