If we have no need, we do not need a miracle from God. If we can manage it humanly on our own, we often try to do just that.
Barak Obama became president and tried to win the support of the world with the well-known words, ‘Yes, we can!’ But despite these words, he has failed in many ways.
Angela Merkel has taken the same line: ‘We can do it!’ She still says so, but has it worked?
Politicians claim that Islam is a religion of peace, but where do we find peace in the Middle East?
After 1990, a new era began, where the Russians were supposed to be our democratic partners in a new world order, but now we see a not-so-friendly leader in Moscow.
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will protect you with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10
God does not deceive us with false assurance and hollow promises. Where there is no threat, we do not need encouragement to overcome fear.
The prophet David, king of Israel, had to confront real threats. He left us many psalms that testify to his struggle against fear.
Be merciful to me, my God, for my enemies are in hot pursuit; all day long they press their attack.
My adversaries pursue me all day long; in their pride many are attacking me.
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. Ps 56:1–3 NIV
These are our invincible weapons against fear, the testimonies of those who have overcome danger and fear.
God's word is not just made up of dogmas and commandments, but also of totally reliable promises. They are reliable for two reasons.
Firstly, they come from God, who will never let us down because he is completely truthful and also almighty.
We can also rely on God's promises because they have been proven in hard times of affliction.
God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Ps 46:1 NASB95
The words in the Bible are not just words. God has kept his promises again and again in the Bible stories.
I have seen time and again how God has saved me and others from death, illness, poverty and unemployment.
So often we expect our parents, partners, friends, doctors, communities, employers or politicians to provide the help we urgently need. Sometimes we get help from people and sometimes they let us down.
But God has never let me down. I have often seen God intervene in humanly impossible circumstances.
It is often precisely in impossible situations that we have to make a decision. Should we panic or just seek human help? Panic doesn't work at all and passive resignation is like death itself.
But we have a God who gave his son to death but then raised him from the dead. Jesus died so that we can always find a way out of any situation.
Jesus said before his death:
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies,
and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” Jn 11:25–26 NASB95
God has work for the unemployed, healing for the sick, joy for the depressed, a future for the hopeless.
When Christian children in Syria or Iraq are beheaded by terrorists because they refuse to become Muslims, they are immediately caught up and their souls appear in God's heaven, where they immediately receive God's comfort and love.
Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices; my body also rests secure.
For you do not give me up to Sheol, or let your faithful one see the Pit.
You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Ps 16:9–11 NRSV
