Distress Of Nations

Looking back over 1992 we might fittingly borrow some words of the Master from Luke 21:25 "... there shall be... distress of nations, in perplexity for the roaring of the sea and the billows."

It is fully understood of course that in the context of Luke 21 the Lord was referring to the supremely critical world situation just prior to the coming of the Son of Man with power and great glory. Nevertheless, distress of nations in perplexity well describes the world scene in 1992. The roaring of the sea and the billows illustrate threatening forces beyond human control, leaving a sense of insecurity and fear of what lies ahead.

Ezekiel ch. 14 records the Lord's visitation in chastisement "when a land sinneth against Me, committing a trespass, and I stretch out Mine hand upon it" (verse 13). Verse 21 speaks of God's "sore judgements", which include breaking the staff of bread, the sword and the pestilence. Reviewing the world scene at the close of another year in the light of God's revealed standards of righteousness, it cannot be surprising that there is widespread distress among all the nations. God's "sore judgements" are all too evident in economic hardships, answering to "breaking the staff of bread"; in terrorism and war, answering to "the sword"; and in devastating disease, answering to "the pestilence".

Economic hardship:

Recession has brought misery to millions throughout the world. Business bankruptcies, long-term unemployment and repossession of mortgaged homes are typical symptoms of recession in the western world. Even the mighty economic resources of Germany have been subject to severe strains following the absorption of East Germany back into the Fatherland.

Farther east members of the Commonwealth of Independent States struggle with massive economic problems in their efforts to change from a command economy to the free market system. In varying degrees the former Soviet satellite nations of Eastern Europe share similar stresses.

The United States, Canada and Mexico have also felt the pinch of world recession, with accompanying high levels of unemployment and low rates of production growth. Nor has Japan escaped the baneful effects. Major Japanese industrial concerns are having to take stringent action to cut labour and other costs. Confidence is at a low ebb.

In less affluent countries, many of them burdened with heavy external debts, great suffering is imposed on whole populations through the inflated price of food and other basic essentials. Most extreme of all has been the hardship endured by populations in drought-stricken areas of East Africa. In Somalia, Mozambique and Sudan the distress has been compounded by cruel civil wars.

Terrorism and War:

The ugly spectacle of civil war between ethnic groups which were formerly part of Yugoslavia has shocked the world. The savagery of so-called "ethnic cleansing" and the brutality shown to civilians caught up in the fighting is a sombre reflection on civilized society. Even efforts to send humanitarian relief have been callously hampered by ruthless military actions.

Disease:

In July 1992 the International Aids Conference was held in Amsterdam. Deep concern was expressed at the growing numbers of AIDS cases, estimated then to be about 1.7 million. A most disconcerting feature is that 69% of these cases are found in Africa. "Just as AIDS in the United States is becoming the disease of the underprivileged", said one medical expert, "on the global scale it is becoming a disease of the Third World". Effective vaccines to counter the disease seem still to be eluding researchers, and the annual death toll rises. A fearful pestilence indeed!

Jeremiah witnessed the severe judgements of the Lord on Jerusalem, including the destruction of the city by the Babylonians. Yet he was moved by the Holy Spirit to write:

The LORD will not cast off for ever. For though He cause grief yet will He have compassion according to the multitude of His mercies. For He doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men (Lam. 3:31-33).

How much greater the distress of nations would be were it not for the Lord's compassionate mercies and His restraint on evil. Above all, 1992 has been another year in which the saving message of the gospel has been spread far and wide, to the spiritual blessing of many. The Lord "is longsuffering not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Pet. 3:9).

unknown | Dec 1992
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