It doesn’t take an expert analyst to conclude that the news in the world today is generally not good. Certainly, this statement has been true for a long time. However, what makes this interesting is that the world’s state of affairs does not seem to improve. You might think that a continual set of poor circumstances and problems would become resolved over time. But instead, as one problem approaches resolution, a multiplicity of new problems pop up. Topple a dictator, only to create civil unrest and drive a healthy economy into unfathomable debt. Allow the citizens of a country to buy their dream homes when interest rates are low, only to cause default on those loans when rates rise, bringing down established financial institutions with the fall. Our solutions to the problems we see only seem to cause more problems — and more bad news.

All the bad news we read about begs the question, where’s the good news? Most mainstream media will try to convince their audiences that the trouble we see now is a flash in the pan, and that the general state of affairs will improve. Some claim that the problems the world experiences today aren’t actually problems at all, but rather apparitions of poor or incomplete analysis. Others still hope that a new President in the United States in the coming months will provide solutions. Yet, we know from experience that man will not be able to make sufficient progress before causing his own demise.

The truth of the matter is that the good news, even though it is more significant than any of the news we see and hear in the media, never sees headlines, nor does it find a place in the media at all. In fact, the good news predominantly falls on deaf ears. Where is the good news? What is the good news?

In Psalm 96:2-3, King David tells us what this good news is: “Sing to the Lord, bless His name; Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples.” To summarize, the good news is that God will establish His Kingdom on this earth, and finally provide us with solutions to the problems that plague us. He will provide salvation for His people.

In the meantime, while the media is mostly silent about this good news, it is our responsibility to report it. We hear the Scripture frequently, but it bears repeating. In Matthew 24:14, Jesus reveals: “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” The substance of the gospel is that God has a plan to save us from ourselves. This message is absolutely simple. It is up to us to do the Work of God in order to preach, publish and broadcast it, so that we do not delay His plans.

If I told you that the American economy is currently doing very well, would you believe me? If you pay even a little attention to the news, you would certainly not.

The news these days is bleak. The mortgage industry collapses further each day, dragging down whomever it can. The dollar consistently sets  records as its value decreases in the world market. The national debt is larger than it has ever been. Add to that the demands on the country to buy increasingly expensive oil and other resources, obligations to solve problems in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the picture you might see is one of a country on the brink of collapse. All the evidence in the news today portends a decline in the American economy, and a rapid one at that. The news certainly does not forecast a flourishing economy.

You might offer me this clear evidence as a counter-argument to my claim of America’s “successful economy.” And I would agree with you. However, I would point out to you that for every licensed driver, there’s a car on the road. With all those cars on the road, even though gas prices are higher than ever, gas consumption is continuing to grow. I’d also bring to your attention that Americans are living in increasingly larger homes, while housing fewer people. Another thing to consider is the $160 billion a year (and rapidly growing — $160 billion is a 2005 statistic) market for self storage. Such a gigantic market indicates that Americans have such an insatiable appetite for consuming goods that they can’t even store the stuff they buy in their newer, larger homes. It’s not just cheap stuff Americans are buying, either. Luxury brands report consistent upward sales trends and perform very well. By an empirical analysis, Americans live in a palatial state of being, continually lifting their standard of living. Even though the news about the economy is dismal, according to the way they spend, Americans don’t seem to care.

Putting the news together with America’s buying habits describes a dangerous set of circumstances. We know about this danger because the Bible tells us what must come to fruition. As a result of national disobedience, God communicates a warning in Deuteronomy 28:47-48:

“Because you did not serve the LORD your God with joy and gladness of heart, for the abundance of everything, therefore you shall serve your enemies, whom the LORD will send against you, in hunger, in thirst, in nakedness, and in need of everything; and He will put a yoke of iron on your neck until He has destroyed you.”

As the standards of living continue to escalate, while the economic foundation to support it weakens, America is setting itself up for a great fall. How great that  fall from a life of luxury to the need of everything will be!

When considering the times and circumstances to come, Paul gives those who live in Christ some reassurance in 1 Thessalonians 5:1-4 when he writes, “But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, ‘Peace and safety!’ then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.”

Let us be encouraged by God’s instructions and warnings so that we too are not left in the dark when that fateful and inevitable fall occurs.