Hopefully devoted

Tough times challenge our resolve; and that means our trust is also challenged.

The possibility of a swine flu pandemic challenges the trust that the people of Mexico and, increasingly, of other countries around the world, have in their health ministries and in the World Health Organization.

Ongoing clashes between security forces and militants in Pakistan are challenging the trust its people placed in the peace deal that brought Sharia law to the Swat district.

Last week, the Chancellor presented his budget to the British people, arguing that the measures it contained would steer the country through the current financial crisis. As such, it was an invitation to voters to keep faith with the government despite current difficulties.

Similarly, David Cameron’s promise of an ‘age of thrift’ is a bid to convince the electorate that it is the Conservatives, rather than Labour, who can be trusted with the nation’s finances.

Hezekiah, king of Judah, was devoted to God. However, when faced with tough times, he too found his trust in God was challenged, not least by those seeking his downfall. Yet even in the midst of trying circumstances he remained devoted to God, and saw God intervene in those circumstances.

Isaiah’s prophecy of Sennacherib’s fall reminds us that God is sovereign over the events of this world. He is therefore worthy of our total trust – we cannot serve two masters – no matter how bad things seem.

As it should have been with the covenanted people of Judah, so our devotion to God should be evident in the circumstances of our everyday lives. And that includes the way we approach contemporary issues – including health, conflict, finance, debt and party politics, to name just a few.

Nigel Hopper