Wednesday, February 16, 2011

IT IS STILL A WONDERFUL WORLD



     Some of you may remember the song recorded by Louis Armstrong, "What A Wonderful World."  In this song he speaks of many things that bring joy to his life for he looks upon the things God has created.  When we behold the beauty of this world we also are reminded of God's wondrous works and proclaim, "what a wonderful world."
     There may be other times however, when we look out and see some things not so appealing.  Some of what we see may be the condition of the world.  Some may concern our own home or our personal life.  Still other things we see may be affecting the church for which Jesus died.  Jeremiah had this in mind when he wrote, "An appalling and horrible thing has happened in the land: The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule on their own authority; And My people love it so!  But what will you do at the end of it?" (Jer. 5:30,31)
     Jeremiah records the word of God in this prophecy as Jehovah sees His people go astray.  The prophets were not faithful to their calling, and the priests paid no attention to God's authority.  This would be truly appalling and horrible if we were to experience such a thing.  I quoted from the New American Standard version of the Bible the passage from Jeremiah 5.  The King James translation uses the word 'wonderful' instead of 'appalling.'  When we think of something wonderful, our thoughts turn to the positive views of what is pleasing or enjoyable.  'Wonderful' can also mean to astonish or be astonished. 
     Don't we find it astonishing how people can abuse God's word, or reject His authority?  Rightly, we are appalled at worldly situations and even more so of problems affecting the church.  It is now we need to be even more dependent upon God's word and lean upon His truth and not our own understanding.  Though unsure of what daily events  may come our way, let us not grow to love the world or the ungodly ways of others.  God is asking what will be done at the end of it, or when the day of accountability arrives.  What would we do?
     The best way to avoid such a predicament is to stay focused on the positive things of God and not allow the negative influences of life to overwhelm us.  As we live life in the light of God's love we can look at the blessings of life and the beauty that surrounds us, and still proclaim, "what a wonderful world!"  Rodger