July 24, 2015 (Friday)
The Book of Genesis tells us that when God created Adam and Eve he commanded them to “be fruitful and multiply.” Well, so far we have managed to multiply to 7 billion people throughout the earth, and predictions are that we shall number 9 billion by 2050.
Where will these people live and how will they be fed? And what about population growth in the years beyond? How will human needs be met in an overcrowded world? If one generation enlarges the population by nearly 30 per cent, what shall happen in future generations?
If this were our only problem, it would be enough to keep us awake at night, but this old world today is full of many more situations that have “disaster” written all over them. A couple of generations back, Winston Churchill said, “Our problems are beyond us.” Yet here we are, 75 years later–billions of us.
I cannot predict how humankind will try to solve its problems, but I know that as a child of God I can trust the Lord, no matter what the future holds. Here are our instructions as we face an uncertain future:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones (Proverbs 3:5-8 NIV).
Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again–my Savior and my God! (Psalm 42:11 NLT).