Uncertain Times
When the world woke up on Thursday, October 24, 1929, it was just another day for many — another day of chores, another day of work, another day of school. Just another day. However, most were not aware of the events that were taking place in the financial world at that time, nor of the impact those events were going to have on the lives of millions of unsuspecting people. That day saw a sharp decline in the stock market on Wall Street so severe that it would be forever etched in history as “Black Thursday”.
As bad as that day seemed, though, it would pale in comparison to what the following Tuesday would bring to the United States’ economy. In those five days the market took yet another bad turn when stockholders sold more than 16.4 million shares — the largest sell-off ever. Over the next three years stock values continued to fall steadily, becoming the era known as “The Great Depression”.
From 1930 to 1933 the economy was truly driven into a depressed state when industrial stocks fell 80%, some 9,000 banks failed, and millions of people lost their life savings. The total value of U.S. goods and services fell almost 50%, forcing businesses to abandon vital labor contracts. Unemployment rose from 9% to 25% in just four years. On average, those who kept their jobs faced wage cuts of 18%.
Agricultural families were hit hard when the value of farm goods dropped 50%. What many were able to hold on to was swept away when the Midwest was engulfed in dust storms and drought.
Naturally, without the financial stability for families to provide proper health care and living conditions, malnutrition and sickness began to abound.
Canada was not left untouched. Due to the U.S. decrease in foreign trade, the demand for Canadian food products, lumber and minerals also dropped. Many factories, stores and mines were closed. Unemployment in Canada rose sharply from 3% in 1929 to 30% in 1933. The Gross National Expenditure was reduced by 42%.The prairie provinces were hit especially hard because of the rapid fall in grain prices. Saskatchewan’s total provincial income dropped by 90% while the other western provinces were technically bankrupt. The depressed economy only added to the financial grief the Maritime provinces had already been experiencing since earlier in the 1920’s.
Many foreigners seeking to relocate to Canada were refused entry. Immigration decreased by 70% during the period from 1929-1933. Further, due to illness and unemployment, the number of immigrants that were returned to their homelands each year nearly quadrupled — some 30,000 over the course of the decade.
In both countries, the federal governments eventually stepped in to offer some degree of relief for those in greatest need. Additionally, government programs were designed to both pull the current economies out of the depression, as well as to ensure the countries against such a devastating blow in the future. For a time, it seemed to work, stimulating the economy and the spirits of the public.
A Century Later…
Recently, it is evident that once again the financial picture is uncertain. Stock values have decreased, banks have been closed, and retirement-conscious people are concerned over their future — short term and long term. Agricultural families are unable to find a profit, and industrial employment lacks security as the demand for such products is diminishing.
Once again, the federal government is on the move to slow the deterioration of the nation’s economic base. Opinions abound in search of the “cure” for the ill conditions that exist, but there is much speculation as to what will bring the most desirable results for current and future generations.
Everyone’s minds are continuously on the changing times. Anxiety has become the norm as fiscal worries increase. More and more time is being allocated for the purpose of skillfully maneuvering through the proverbial mine field of financial obligations. In desperation, many are throwing their arms up and crying, “How did this happen? What else can I do? Where do I go from here?”
The Quest for Certainty
As a matter of fact, changes in economic trends — profound as they have proven to be — are merely a small representation of the rest of reality. What we know to be true is that everything is in a state of flux. However, mankind never finds complete satisfaction in things that are bound to change. That which is only temporary offers no stability and eventually proves to be unreliable. Only that which is truly constant and unwavering is worthy of one’s confidence. But where can we find such an entity? What could possibly exist that is not prone to change?
In the Bible, it says of God, “…You are the same, and Your years shall have no end” (Psalm 102:27). This statement is a concept that is difficult for us to understand because it attributes to God a characteristic that is completely contrary to anything we can observe. Yet, it is because of this fact alone, that every entity we have knowledge of has any stability at all. Only that which remains constant can remain in control. Because God is always the same, He continues to hold all events in His hand. Though many of the things we witness today bring displeasure to Him now, His perfect plan will ultimately be accomplished.
Consider just three of God’s unchanging attributes for a moment. The first is the fact that God’s holiness never changes. He has never moved the standard which mankind has always tried to redefine. In truth, we can never measure up to God’s standard of holiness, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Through our sin we have missed the mark of holiness that God has so clearly set. “Our righteousnesses are as filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6). Even the few good things we may do completely miss the mark of God’s unchanging standard of holiness.
The second attribute we must consider is that God’s justice never changes. Because God is perfectly holy, it would be a corruption of that holiness to permit something that is unholy to abide in His presence. Because we sin, and God’s justice never changes, “we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things” (Romans 2:2). Therefore, “the wages [or payment] of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). Death is a separation. Physical death is the separation of the soul from the body. Eternal death is the separation of the soul from the presence and influence of God forever. Because God’s justice never changes, we as sinners are destined to this eternal death. These first two attributes make things seem rather hopeless for us, and that would be true if it weren’t for the final attribute to consider.
The third important attribute is the fact that God’s love never changes. God once said to His people, “I have loved you with an everlasting love” (Jeremiah 31:3). Love is such a powerful attribute of God that the Bible tells us that He not only shows His love, but that “God is love” (1 John 4:8). God exhibited this love through a very intentional act. Because we have violated God’s unchanging standard of holiness, God’s unchanging justice demands that a price be paid. That price is eternal death. “But God demonstrates His love toward us, in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
“God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son” (John 3:16). He has an unchanging love for every member of the human race. His love for us is so great that He sacrificed His only son, Jesus Christ, to fulfill the demands of His unchanging justice. The Bible tells us “that Christ died for our sins…and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (1 Corinthians 5:3-4). Jesus paid our sin-debt with His own blood to satisfy God’s justice. God showed His approval of Jesus’ payment by raising him from the dead. No other payment could have been made or can ever be made again. Christ’s payment is complete.
A Choice to Be Made
So, where does that leave you? During these uncertain times, are you 100% certain of your eternal destiny? God’s holiness never changes, and you have violated that holiness because you are a sinner. God’s justice never changes, but you cannot make the payment that is required. God’s love never changes, so at His own cost he made provision for the payment to be made for you. But there is one thing that still remains — your personal response to God’s love. Will you place your complete trust in the payment that God has provided through Jesus? “By grace you are saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
No effort you can make will ever come close to satisfying God’s justice. All you can do — all God asks you to do — is to come to Him through His Son. “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5).
The choice is yours. If you will place your faith in Christ alone, one thing will be sure in times of uncertainty — “whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Will you trust Him today? If you will make that choice in your heart, maybe you could confirm that to God through a prayer such as this: “Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and that I cannot get to Heaven on my own. I recognize that you died and rose again, forever paying the debt that I owe. Today, I trust you alone to cleanse me from my sin and to grant me eternal life. Thank you, Jesus, for saving me. Amen.”
If this would sum up what you believe in your heart, the Bible assures you that you have a very certain future — eternal life. Praise God for showing His unchanging love through saving you! If you have trusted Christ today, we’d like to hear about it. Get in touch with us through the contact information provided on this site so we can rejoice with you.