When one observes the assortment of news that comes at us each day from all sides, especially in recent weeks, one may wonder, What in the world is going on? Is the world about to spin out of control? Are we approaching the end of time? Are the events we are witnessing a precursor to the final episodes of Earth’s history? These are relevant questions that many conscientious Seventh-day Adventists and other Christians are asking.
Politicians are creating an atmosphere of uncertainty in the world; nations are questioning what’s next. Terrorism is a real threat to the stability of our society. The United States, having just experienced the inauguration of a new president, is strongly divided along party lines. With these radical changes taking place, many people are uncertain and even cynical about the future. Some are asking, Where is God in all of this?
When we consider the rising crime rates in certain cities, the vicious attacks on the innocent and the vulnerable, the increase of natural disasters, we must ask the question: Where can we find relief? The answer is found in God. Human wisdom has miserably failed! It is high time to turn to the true Source of all wisdom, God Himself.
The Psalmist said, “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved”—Psalm 55:22, NKJV. For various reasons, many are losing hope and have turned to quick fixes that do not last. However, our only answer is in Jesus, our Savior, who has promised to come again to rescue the faithful from this sin-cursed earth. He declared before He left the earth: “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also”—John 14:1-3, NKJV.
Distrust in God brings on uncertainty, which results in fear. As children of God we are expected to put our confidence in Him; He knows the beginning and the end, and all that goes in between. Nothing happens without His attention and permission. Ellen White declared: “We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and His teaching in our past history”—Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 10.
My encouragement is, as Moses said to Joshua, “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you”—Deuteronomy 31:6, NKJV.
In our quest for all sufficiency, humanity has made a mess of things and, try as we may, we can’t fix it all by ourselves. I pray that we will acknowledge our helplessness and turn to the all-wise God for help. He will hear and answer, if we ask in faith. Let us trust in the Lord with all our hearts and He will deliver us from all evil.
G. Earl Knight is president of the Atlantic Union Conference and chairman of the Atlantic Union College Board of Trustees.