The economic crisis that our country faces seems to hit a the core of the average American. For the first time ever I am seeing mass quantities of people panic about their future and ability to provide for their families. In the industry I work, things are even scarier. One in five auto dealerships are soon to be closing, manufacturing plants are closing down, workers are being layed off, dealership are down-sizing and shrinking staff, sales are down, income is minimal, yet bills remain. As a pastor I have had recently seen grown men weep and share their fears, concerns and questions about what lies before us. Biblical counsel if therefore crucial and most necessary if believers are going to weather these temporary hardships and uncertainties.
In a recent book by Pastor Mark Dever, he quotes the writings of Jonathan Edwards and in so doing examines the way the world responds to loss and implies the way believers are to respond to tragedy, loss and dire times. He references the Old Testament book of Job to make his case.
"In 1723, a young pastor of a church in Manhattan, Jonathan Edwards, preached a sermon called "The Nakedness of Job." He described wealthy Job's sudden losses, which included even the lives of his children. And then he turned to how we ought to respond to such losses in contrast to how the world responds."
'Perhaps, when you read the history of Job, you read it as a strange thing that happened but once in the world; but, for the time to come, read it as a think thing that happens daily, and frequently, for every man at death is as much deprived of all his worldly goods as Job was...The history of Job is only a shadow of death; it is no more than happens to every man in the world...Such is the folly of the world. They pursue violently after the world, slave and tire themselves for a little of it, are exceeding anxious and careful about it. Their minds are gnawn with care and anxiety; they undergo abundance of difficulties for it, and will often violate their consciences, disobey their God, and go very near hellfire--so near as to scorch them--come so near to the pit that their feet are every moment ready to slip. When they lose the world, they mourn as if they had met with a loss that it is impossible should be repaired, either in this world or the next, and when they have got a little of the world, they please themselves with the thoughts of it as much as if they were sure they could never lose it, neither by death nor otherwise...Before, they were careless and at ease, as if death were not wont to come into their parts of the world.'
Death, loss, decay are all part of life for believers and unbelievers. That is why scripture counsels us to NOT lay up treasure here on earth. If we are to joyfully meet this world head on with its current crisis and defeat satanic deception of security in goods, our treasure must be God, as was the case with Job. If our treasure is earthly, we will surely panic, become depressed and even bitter towards God and thus reveal our idolatry--that we loved things more than the One who gave things to us.
Let the current economic crisis be used of God to reveal your current affection or lack of it for God. Realize this is the grace of God in action working out your sanctification. And as tough as it is, in the midst of pain, give thanks to the Lord for His mercy and goodness endures forever.
