The Answer is Not "Blowing in the Wind"

      Years ago, there was a famous folk music group called Peter, Paul and Mary.  One of the songs I loved listening to and playing on my guitar was "Blowing in the Wind".  Written during the time of turmoil in our country when the war in Vietnam was escalating, Bob Dylan wrote it as a protest song.  He asked a series of rhetorical questions and claimed that the answer was "blowing in the wind".  While the song claimed there were no answers, the Psalmist would disagree.  He found his comfort and answers in God's Holy Word.

     Recently, a friend and I have begun a study of Pastor Randy Alcorn's book, "If God is Good".  This book as its title proclaims is about evil and suffering in life.  Certainly it is a huge topic for all of us as we see the world exploding in death and destruction from both manmade and natural disasters.  As Pastor Alcorn writes: "We must form our perspective from God's Word, not popular culture " (pg.38).   He is absolutely correct.  This sentiment goes along with the verse that says: "For we walk by faith; not by sight..." (2 Corinthians 5:7).  Looking at the circumstances of life and listening to the answers modern culture gives to us is both depressing and empty of truth. However there is a place we can look.

     In Psalm 119:92, the writer said something profound and instructive:  "If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction." We are not certain who the author of this Psalm was.  It could have been David, Ezra or even Daniel; however the words ring true for us all.  This verse more than any other struck a chord within me.  How do we make it through the hard times in life...the loss of loved ones...illness...loss of employment or even our home? Well, we can be assured that the answer is not "blowing in the wind".  God's Word is, indeed, the answer.  We may not find the specific reason for "why" things take place, but we find comfort, truth and hope for the future.

     All of history is "His" story from beginning to end because God is our creator and sustainer.  From Genesis to Revelation, God has revealed Himself and made known His love, His salvation and His eventual judgement of the world.  To know the Word is to know and embrace our LORD.  This is why the Psalmist makes clear that he would not have made it through his afflictions if he had not known God's Word. The Bible offers comfort to us.  Just reading Psalm 23 lets us know that we have a "Good Shepherd" who guides us and keeps us daily in His care.

     Secondly, God's Word offers the truth to us without holding back.  Our culture offers deceit, fantasy and many other means of escaping the reality of sin.  Of course, we know that the "prince of the power of the air" (Satan) is behind this.  Ephesians 2:2-3 says:  "...in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind."   As believers we have been delivered from this dark domain of lies and half truths.  Therefore, we must renew our minds daily.  Washing our hearts and minds in the Word of God is the only way we can walk in this fallen world which leads me to the last point.

     When it comes to finding hope, the Bible is filled with promises to those who believe in Jesus Christ.  We have a future and a hope just as the Israelites did when God told them through the Prophet Jeremiah:  "'For I know the plans I have for you', declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future'" (Jeremiah 29:11).  Even though God's people had disobeyed Him and found themselves in exile, the Lord promised them a future and a hope.  Jesus has done the same for all who believe in Him.  He sent us a Comforter (the Holy Spirit) to live within us and teach us, guide us and help us walk by faith. He also is preparing a place for us that we may be with Him forever where there will be no tears, pain, sickness or death.  This is what hope looks like to the Christian.  We have a future and a hope, but if we never get into God's Word, we will not know it.

      For believers, the answers to this life are not "blowing in the wind", they are found in the Bible.  As Hebrews 4:12-13 states: "For the Word of God is alive and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight.  Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account."  If we want to live above the transient woes of this world, we need to be steeped in His Word because it leads us into all truth, brings us comfort and gives us hope.  Selah!