Time to Clean House
When circumstances are grim, it’s not hard for some people to quickly assume that the sky is falling. This is particularly so among those Christians who see every bit of bad news as “signs of the times” and believe that the appearance of the “four horsemen of the apocalypse” is just around the corner.
The presence of bad news and tough times does not, however, necessarily mean the end is nigh. It may just mean that God is cleaning house.
God’s presence and principles are an inescapable part of this world. So much so that when He is consistently denied, it’s sure to bring tough consequences. You might say that this is God’s way of keeping men honest or cleaning house.
When mankind first got off track in the garden of Eden, God did not give up on the human race. He set in motion a plan to redeem it. Ever since, God has been gracious and relentless to see this plan fulfilled. And it will be, having been secured by the death and resurrection of His Son.
Sometimes, like during the days of Noah, things appear extremely bleak. At that time, every intent of the thoughts of man’s heart was only evil (Gen.6:5). And God was so grieved by what things had become that He determined to blot man out with a great flood.
But even this was not the end. It was actually a new beginning. God washed the earth of its wickedness and preserved the human race through Noah, renewing His covenant with mankind.
God remains committed to redeem humanity and show forth the wisdom of His ways. One way He makes this apparent is by allowing us to feel the consequences when we forsake His precepts for living. Through this, affliction can be good, because by it we may learn God’s statutes (Ps.119:71).
So, when some big banks and lending institutions fail, it should not be treated like an unexpected hurricane. We should ask what principles have been violated and take the steps necessary to amend our ways. Otherwise, nothing will be learned and it will only lead to greater hardship.
The same thing applies in our personal lives too. If you are feeling the sting of hardship because you know in your heart you’ve taken a wrong turn, take responsibility and get back on track. Look at what God is showing you, and clean house where it’s needed.
“He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion” (Pr.28:13).
I know a man who likes to say that we have many deaths and many lives. By that he means that there are lots of times we are brought low because we have blown it. But it’s at these times we die to our old self and old ways and are raised up to something new and better.
That makes sense, and it’s the hope God gives us in His risen Son, Jesus Christ.
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The gospel has and will bring prosperity. The West has enjoyed much more because of a biblical view (more or less) of property, for example. It makes sense, though, that we should not enjoy increased prosperity when our government is violating those principles–like stealing from its citizens by this wild printing of fiat money. Deut. 25:15″You shall have a full and just weight; you shall have a full and just measure, (B)that your days may be prolonged in the land which the LORD your God gives you.
So you are saying that the banks failing could be progress for the gospel, depending on how the American people respond. That is encouraging. And gives us a direction for laboring in the gospel.
Yes, I believe the financial trouble we are seeing could be good for the gospel if it leads to repentance. And even without immediate repentance, the warfare-welfare state is failing, and this will serve to reveal the state itself to be a false god, hopefully turning many to the true God who reigns over all. If God is not pleased to turn hearts in this way, it appears that the kingdom of God will make its greatest gains outside of the West for some time to come.