Still Another Look at the Economic Downturn

Isaiah 33:6,14-17,22: "He (God) will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure . . . . The sinners in Zion are terrified; trembling grips the godless: 'Who of us can dwell with the consuming fire? Who of us can dwell with everlasting burning?' He who walks righteously . . . . His bread will be supplied, and water will not fail him. Your eyes will see the king in his beauty and view a land that stretches afar . . . . For the Lord is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; it is he who will save us."


With all the discussion of the global recession (and possible depression) today, we would do well to seek God's Word and glean His Sovereign insight concerning our present problems. God is the only one from whom we will be able to find remedy to such a mess as we have today.


Much of the problem that we have economically has been fueled by unsound (even ungodly) behavior in our financial markets. Whether it has been the financial service industry leveraging too much money in unwise lending practices (something Proverbs 11:15 warns against) or brokers that abscond with people's retirement savings, there seems to be widespread chicanery spurred on by personal greed. Coupled with this self-absorption is a lack of regard for the will of God as clearly communicated in Scripture. Our society is consumed with itself, and it is willing to destroy anyone or anything that would impede its quest for veneration. As one person manipulates, cheats, sues, defrauds, or steals from his neighbor, we as a nation implode in the lost time and expense of our self-idolization. There is no unity of purpose and certainly no respect for the Lord and His ways.


As God has demonstrated historically in Scripture, He is a blessing to the nation that submits to Him as Lord, and He destroys the nation that would go its own way in defiance against His Sovereignty. To be sure, the Lord "longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion" (Isaiah 30:18); still, only the one who walks righteously will be supplied with his material needs (Isaiah 33:16b).


If we continue to chart our course in the direction that we have been travelling, we should not expect anything good to come from it; for, the hand of blessing from the Lord will not be with us. If we continue to propagate sinful, disobedience against the LORD and His commands, we will only see His hand of judgment upon our nation and its economy. Just as the wicked of Isaiah's day trembled at the sudden collapse of their nation, so too we should expect such loss unless we repent.


Let's consider our evil ways and return to the Lord, for He is gracious and just. He will forgive us of our sins and will heal our land if we simply surrender ourselves to His Lordship (2 Chronicles 7:14).