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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Outlook (06/02/11)
    The LORD will guard your going out and your coming in From this time forth and forever. (Psalm 121:8 NAS)
Recent news of a weak economic outlook in the United States has dampened the hope of a much awaited recovery. On June 3, 2011, The New York Times reported that after several months of strong job growth, hiring has slowed sharply in May, suggesting the economy may be running out of steam once again. Over the past few months, economists have been predicting the recovery was speeding up, and that a sharper bounce-back was imminent, only to be disappointed again and again by continued ‘headwinds’ stalling progress. The latest ‘headwinds’ include high gas prices, economic disruptions from Japan’s earthquake and tsunami, and instability in the Middle East.

Meanwhile, unemployment rate has edged up to 9.1 percent from 9.0 in April. This is despite 54,000 nonfarm payroll jobs have been added in May, after the increase of about 220,000 jobs in each of the three previous months, according to the Labor Department. The gain however was only about a third of what economists have been forecasting.

In a separate story on May 18, 2011, The New York Times reported that evidences are now emerging to show the damage wrought by the sour economy is more widespread than expected. Even for college graduates, the outlook is rather bleak. An analysis by the Labor Department found the number of college graduates aged 25 to 34 employed in food service, restaurants and bars had risen 17 percent in 2009 from 2008. Similar or bigger employment increases are also evident at gas stations and fuel dealers, food and alcohol stores, and taxi and limousine services. This analysis indicates not only the waste of a college degree, but also the displacement of less-educated workers who would normally take these jobs.

As we continue to read, hear and watch the news of what’s to come with forecasts of more gloom than a brighter future, how should we respond as believers in Christ? Do we feel discouraged or disconcerted as if a dark cloud is hanging over our heads or do we have complete calm in our hearts knowing that God is in control? In the face of a bleak economic future, do we despair or hold fast our confidence in the Lord (Hebrews 3:6)?

Let us choose to respond positively, and like the psalmist who wrote Psalm 121 lift our eyes to the mountains, knowing that our help comes from the LORD who made the heavens and earth (v.1-2). Our God will not allow our feet to slip and He will not slumber nor sleep (v.3-4). The LORD is our keeper (v.5), we will not be smitten by day or by night regardless our situation (v.6). The LORD will protect us and keep our souls (v.7). He will guard our going out and our coming in forever (v.8). Our God knows the plans He has for us, plans for our welfare and not for calamity, to give us a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11).

If therefore we are in need, let us ask of God and seek Him, for to everyone who asks shall receive, and to the one who seeks will find (Psalm 34:4; Matthew 7:7-8). Our God is not a man that He should lie, nor a son of man that He should repent. Has He said and will He not do it? Has He spoken and will He not make it good (Numbers 23:19)? The LORD is our shepherd; we shall not be in want (Psalm 23:1). Let us trust in the LORD with all our heart and not lean on our own understanding. In all our ways acknowledge Him, and He will make our paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Our sovereign Lord who made the heavens and the earth, by Your great power and outstretched arm we know nothing is too difficult for You. Though men may forecast a future of gloom, nothing they say can come true unless You permit so. Even if we are to walk through many trials, we need not fear nor worry because You are with us, Your rod and Your staff comfort and guide us. Help us therefore Lord to rise above the dark clouds and never doubt Your plans for us, of welfare and not calamity, to give us a future and a hope. You O Lord are God and in You we can trust completely.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Leola Ogle
06/10/11
A great reminder that our trust needs to remain steadfast in the Lord and not the downward spiral of the economy. Thanks for sharing! God bless!
Linda Goergen
06/11/11
Your prayer was terrific, but to be honest - for the rest, for this challenge story, instead of just posting news headline facts and scripture, (most that your readers would already know) I would have preferred a story more in your own words, that showed an example of someone depending on God and not situation or circumstance. Something that would have given a visual of the “facts’ you so liberally present. Just my humble opinion.

That aside, if I were reading this in a newspaper or a Christian news print, I would have thought it very well written. Blessings!
Linda Goergen
06/12/11
I would like to apologize if my putting “facts” as I did, inside quotation marks offended in that it seemed I was questioning your facts, I was certainly not doing that! Your facts seemed absolute and well researched! I shouldn’t have used the marks. What I was merely trying to stress was I felt like I was being hit with facts (tell) and had wished for more vision (show) of your article’s wonderful message.
Noel Mitaxa 
06/12/11
This is well researched, and (for a Christian reader) very reassuring. However, I'm a little frustrated - that in all the upheavals and delays that you have pointed out so clearly; and in the detail of God's provision in spite of the gloom - that for Christian readers there are few tools for us to express his invitation to non-believers to shift from their crumbling power bases and embrace the same privilege of being part of his family.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
06/12/11
This is a great devo. I often joke that the thing I do best is worry. Thank you for the reminder to give my worries to God.
Colin Swann
06/13/11
Excellent devotional on relying solely on God through thick and thin. All your problems in USA are mirrored here in the UK. Thanks!
Verna Cole Mitchell 
06/14/11
I particularly like your choice of Scripture verse for the beginning and your encouraging words in the second half. I think you might summarize some of the facts in the first three paragraphs or even leave out the second and third paragraphs, but to be perfectly honest, a well developed portrayal of the facts did not bother me as I read this devotional that has encouragement because God is in charge.
diana kay
06/15/11
thank you this was interesting for me and i loved the top and tailing with scripture. The economic downturn is also a source of much anxiety in the UK so it is relevant to all. I rather liked the documentary/factual approach myself as a welcome change from the fictional ... not that i am criticizing those that have chosen to write the other.. maybe a more Headline grabbing title would have suited this .. your one word title is a little bland.
Rachel Phelps
06/15/11
As usual, your message is spot on. Well done.