2008 was not what we would normally define as a ‘good’ year. We saw economic crisis on a grand scale. There was crisis with major financial institutions; crisis with the ‘Big 3′ automakers, thousands of job layoffs and homes in foreclosure. For a while gas was $4.00 per gallon. The entire economic year was determined to be in a sharp recession.
Looking ahead…even among the most optimistic, 2009 is not looking good. There appears to be a looming credit card crisis which will lead to bankruptcies on a massive scale, continued and increasing job layoffs, thousands of companies closing their doors and the continued disturbing surprises that keep popping up in the headlines.
The hope for the Christian in all of this is the sovereignty of God. If God were not working all things ‘according to the counsel of his own will’ (Ephesians 1:11), then 2009 is likely to be a really bad year. Come what may, if you are in Christ, 2009 will be a great year! Yes, you may lose your job, your home, your savings and other earthly possessions, but you will not and cannot lose Christ.
His kingdom is the pearl of great price for which we have already ’sold all’ to have obtained (Matthew 13:45&46). If you have received such a treasure, what can you possibly lose this year that can compare to that which you cannot lose?
For the Christian I am praying that God would use these times to wean us off of our materialism and purify the church. May our idols be taken away that we might give ourselves to the work of the ministry and to the service of the saints.
In conclusion, while 2009 is likely to bring further devastating blows to our economy, I am optimistic that it could bring even more devastating blows against the Kingdom of Satan. This could be a year of unprecedented ministry opportunity to a lost and dying culture. Let us resolve to take advantage of the times for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven, whatever the cost.
