Submitting To Jesus Christ, Not To Caesar

By Barry Shaw

In these troubled economic times, people hope that something or someone will save them from a world that is collapsing around them. Many delude themselves into believing that it isn’t possible for things to get worse and that the government will save them from total disaster. They forget completely about God.

One could really work him or herself into a tizzy thinking about the desperation of our current economic situation. I have found myself thinking on occasion, “I’ve worked all my life and whatever I have to show for it could disappear into thin air. How will my family survive?” It’s very easy to get caught up in all the negative news and look at things from a worldly point of view. How quickly we forget that God is in charge. He’s allowed all of this to occur. He has His reasons. There’s a familiar ring to all of this. Just read the Prophets such as Isaiah or Jeremiah and their writings become very contemporary (see for example Isaiah 1-3 or Jeremiah 6:9-15).

I sometimes find myself getting caught up in the bad financial tidings of Bloomberg News, CNBC, or CNN Money. But then I hear a still small voice that says, “Barry, I am in charge. Trust in me and I shall give you peace.” It is then that I recall words spoken by the Apostle Peter: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7

Suddenly, all my baby-boomer worries are cast aside and I no longer have concern that my family and I will be OK. Our Lord loves us and wants us to submit to Him in times of trouble. That’s why He allows troubles to occur from time to time. He will see to it that we are fed, clothed and sheltered for He assured us, “...do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; about your body, what you will wear...Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them...seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:25-26 (see also Philippians 4:6-7).

When trouble occurs such as we are experiencing today, remember the words of the Psalmist: “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:1-2.

“The humble person in the midst of trouble is filled with peace, for he depends on God alone.” Thomas A’ Kempis

“Submit yourselves, then, to God.” James 4:7 Submit your life to Jesus Christ, not Caesar, and you will have peace in these troubled times.

Barry Shaw writes from Applegate Valley, Oregon