Faith Is A Blessing

The news from around the country and around the world every day of late is rather depressing, even though we’re being told things are getting better. Money matters continue to drag down countries all around the world and even here at home as governments continue to borrow on borrowed money to spend it on the most ridiculous things. Last year at this time tornadoes were tearing up billions of dollars of property in the U.S. and for the past several years fire has consumed billions of dollars more. This year seems to be the worst in history, at least for this country. These natural disasters are as bad as all out war and what is left behind after an invading force has passed over the land. At least with natural disasters most things can be compensated for through insurance, but the personal stuff like pictures and family heirlooms have been lost forever. People say there only “things” and they survived with their life which means more. True enough, but hearts are broken because of their great loss and life will not be the same again for these people. While sitting in a shelter with only the clothes on your back and a pile of ashes or debris on the piece of land you call home, what does one hang tomorrow on? I’ve gone broke a couple of times and health issues have brought me very low, but I’ve never been in a situation where my whole community has lost everything and instantly became totally dependent on someone else to survive. There’s not much I can do except pray that God gives them the strength to move on with a positive outlook and a stronger faith in the One who sustains their life day to day. While attending worship a six-year-old boy noticed a white flag with gold stars on it in the corner of the building. “What’s that, daddy?” asked the boy. “That’s a reminder of all those who have died in service,” his father whispered. The boy thought it over for a moment, then asked, “Did they die in the 9:30 or 11 o’clock service? While the family was sitting around the table eating, Jennifer, 5, turned to her brother, Andy, 3, and said, while pointing at their dad, “That’s not your real father”, startling the whole family. “Yes he is”. Andy replied. “No he’s not,” Jennifer insisted. “God is your heavenly Father”, and pointing again said, “That’s your homely father.” [Hebrews 11:6] “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” As is following most personal disappointments of life, people tend to turn to God for strength and understanding. Unfortunately, they also turn back to themselves as soon as life begins to run smoothly again. In Genesis 11:1-9, the people of earth traveled about to find a place where they wanted to live. “…They said, ‘Come, let’s make bricks and bake them thoroughly.’ They used brick instead of stone and tar for mortar. ‘…Let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves…’” God confused their language and scattered the people of earth so they would not become great on their own. (Genesis 12:1-5 & Hebrews 11:7-16) On the other hand, Abram (Abraham), when called by God, followed the instructions of God by faith, for what God promised, Abram could not see. God said follow me and I will bless you and you will be a blessing. God is knocking on the door of the unbeliever and unfaithful. God is testing the faithful. The helping hands and the prayers of the faithful will be a blessing to those seeking God.