For much of the past few months, I’ve been on a news fast. I very rarely watch the news on TV or listen to it on the radio. I used to be addicted to the Drudge Report where I went to read the news at least several times a day online. I never go there now. And I have to say, I really feel a lot better.
I’m not worried or anxious about the economy or politics. I’m assuming we’re still in a recession since no one has mentioned it’s over, but I may be the last to know when we’re out of it. Surely, someone will tell me when the time comes.
As far as I’m concerned though, there is no recession. I’m choosing not to participate in this one. I don’t think it’s required, by the way. As I see it, to take part in the recession, you have to experience some level of daily fear, worry or anxiety about something you have no control over. No thanks. I’m just not up for it.
In 1 Chronicles 21, David wasn’t facing a recession, but maybe he was listening a little too intently to the news. For some reason, he decides to take a census of all the fighting men in Israel. Counting the men was something God didn’t want done. After the count is taken, David prays:
“I have sinned badly in what I have just done, substituting statistics for trust; forgive my sin–I’ve been really stupid.”
Knowing how many guys you’ve got on your side doesn’t seem like such a terrible thing. We’ve got to plan, right? We need to be informed, don’t we? To be good managers of what God has entrusted to us, don’t we need all the facts?
No, not really. Counting the men was a sign of not trusting God.
We need to remember that in God’s economy, one man can defeat thousands. Three hundred can defeat tens of thousands. God isn’t relying on superior numbers.
Don’t forget that a few fish and loaves can feed thousands. Taxes can be paid with a coin pulled from the mouth of a fish. God just isn’t wringing His hands when stocks close down.
When God shows up, the rules change. All bets are off.
Want to get the most out of this recession? Stop trusting the statistics. The unemployment rate, the GDP, the Dow Jones average, the value of your stock portfolio and the number of homes in foreclosure don’t matter. They don’t. Can you do anything about them? No, you can’t. So stop filling your mind with them.
Is God’s faithfulness contingent upon a rebound in the stock market or rising employment rates or a turn around in new home construction? No. God is faithful regardless.
Heaven is His throne. The earth is His footstool. Is there anything He can’t do? Has He made a promise He can’t fulfill?
To get the most out of this recession, trust God. Believe Him. Then help others believe Him, too.
I’m not suggesting we won’t go through difficult times. Trials and difficulties are a guarantee–just read James 1 and Romans 5. But I am saying that this recession is the perfect time for us to experience God’s love and faithfulness and point others to Him as well.
Try a little experiment for the rest of February. Fast from the news. Just stop watching it, listening to it or reading it. Cold turkey. Beginning now. Then choose to fill your mind with the truth of God’s word. Read a chapter a day from the gospel of John. Let the truth soak into your heart and mind.
I promise this recession will be an entirely different experience for you than for those who choose to trust the statistics.