If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
 
  With the arrival of fall we are witnessing many changes. The days are growing shorter, the mornings are cooler, and yet we are blessed by warm afternoons. There was a bounty of fruit this year, which is evident by the baskets of apples all over my front porch. The trees are already starting to have a tinge of color and will soon be ablaze in gold, crimson, and orange.

  Other changes are on the horizon that aren’t as predictable as the seasons. As I watch the news everyday I hear about the current economic crisis. The doom and gloom that the analysts portray makes the future look bleak for everyone. However, this isn’t the first time our country has faced economic despair, and it probably won’t be the last.

  Recently I read about several economic crises that occurred in the 19th century. Many of them such as the panic of 1893 put the country in a tailspin, but it eventually recovered However it marked the end of the gilded age.

  During the great Depression, the country suffered greatly. People lost not only their jobs, but their homes as well. It was the end of a way of life for many Americans who knew their lives would never be the same again. While I didn’t live through the Depression, I listened to stories from my grandparents who shared how difficult it was to survive.

  Now we are facing yet another major economic crisis that has the potential of once again disrupting the lives of Americans. I know of one person who lost everything, even their home when the company their retirement fund was invested in went out of business.  They thought they had plenty for retirement only to learn they had lost all of their savings.

  With these types of circumstances in place, it is getting more and more difficult to maintain our current lifestyles. I know times are tough for everyone, but there are some things to remember. The most important thing is God is still in control and takes care of our basic needs. He may not always provide our wants, but He does provide our needs.

  Driving around Tucumcari I noticed a multitude of campaign signs for almost every level of government office. In just about a month it will be time to go to the polls and vote. Before you go to vote it is important to seek God’s guidance as to whom you should vote for. Take this month to seek His guidance in fervent prayer.

  We need to seek the Lord in everything we do. David sought the Lord’s help in where he was to go. After the deaths of Saul and Jonathan he turned to the Lord for direction. In 2 Samuel 2:1 we read, “And it came to pass after this, that David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the LORD said unto him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go up? And he said, Unto Hebron” There was a lot of ways David could go, but he sought the Lord’s help for the best way.

  It is so easy to go blindly and do things our own way, but it may not be the Lord’s way. Isaiah 55:7-9 tells us: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts”.  Who are we to try to second-guess the Lord?

  As history proves, economic crisis comes and goes and Presidential elections are held every four years. However it is the Lord that always stays the same. Psalm 128:1-2 makes this promise: “Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways. For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee”.

  We may face difficult times in the days ahead, but at the same time we know where to turn for help during those bleak times. In the movie, “Rudy” the main character is told that praying is something we do in our time, but the answers comes in God’s time. May we ever be faithful to pray for this current situation and for our leaders now and in the days to come. One final word: be sure to vote your conscience on Nov. 4. Every vote counts.