But, there is Good News. There is an uplifting solution. "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it" (1 Cor. 10:13).
First, we need to understand that nothing comes by chance. God has brought us to this point of hopeless deficit so we can see our helplessness and lift our eyes to heaven. All our problems have a spiritual dimension. All the green Copenhagen rhetoric will only result in more debt. We need to see our real poverty before we will turn to the riches of God's Word.
Second, there is an even more urgent need for the Gospel to be preached. It may be very difficult to face all the obstacles, but this is the calling of the Church. That Gospel is not about what we can do, but about what has been done for us. What is the message? There is a Savior who has paid all our debts with His life. There is a Savior at the right hand of God who reigns over all. There is a Savior who guarantees all believers a glorious, debt-free future home. That Savior is Jesus Christ alone.
Third, we will have to endure today's problems and trials by faith. Rejoice in it as James 1:2-5 tells us-the testing of our faith produces endurance. No one has said life would be easy in this fallen world. But Jesus has overcome the world (Jn. 16:33). Trust the words of the Psalmist: "Mark the blameless man, and observe the upright; For the future of that man is peace. But the transgressors shall be destroyed together; The future of the wicked shall be cut off. But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in the time of trouble" (Ps. 37:37-39).
Fourth, entrust the days ahead to the perfect will of God. "Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit'; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that'" (James 4:13-15). Trust God completely that, by His providence, nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Jesus Christ our Lord.
We don't know what God will bring into our lives this coming year-joys or sorrows. But we do know that in Christ before God we are debt-free. We are at liberty to serve Him for trillions of years, without end. What more shall we desire for a bright future?
