Black Voices

Issue date: 10/21/08 Section: News

The United States of America is in a recession. Food and gas prices increased, job opportunities are decreasing, people are losing their homes and the financial market is in chaos.

But here's the good news: Heaven remains the same. That deserves a hallelujah, a thank you God, and an Amen! In the midst of our trying times, God is still in the blessing business.

We're given blessings, grace, and mercy free of charge by way of Heaven. I don't know about you, but that excites me.

We may be on the road to another Great Depression, but we serve a God who will never leave us alone on that road because He's bigger than any problem we face.

In the midst of this economic crisis God is testing our faith. Will we stop tithing because of financial troubles?

Sometimes we are tested because God wants to see if we're really down for Him like we often proclaim when our lives are stable and our bank accounts are full.

God wants us to have a "but if not" faith. The book of Daniel contains a story about one of the greatest acts of faith.

King Nebuchadnezzar threatened to throw brothers Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego into a fiery furnace if they did not worship Nebuchadnezzar's gods. They responded, "If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But if not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up" (Daniel 3:17-18).

They knew God was able to save them and in the event that He wouldn't, they still refused to serve the other gods.

That's "but if not" faith. We must believe God is able to change our economy. But if not, or if He takes longer than we expect, will we lose faith? Will we depend on those in Washington and not our Savior?

My brothers and sisters, in order to press through we must stand on His word and know He may not come when we want Him, but He'll always be on time.

I challenge you to walk by faith and not by sight.

Eyes have not seen and ears have not heard of the things God has prepared for you, your family and this nation.

Stand firm and remember what He has told us: "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11).

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