Finding Hope during the Government Shutdown
Guest Commentary
Audio By Carbonatix
By Amanda Idleman, Crosswalk.com
The U.S. federal government entered its 15th shutdown since 1980 after Congress failed to pass a short-term funding bill. Roughly 750,000 federal workers are furloughed, while essential staff continue without pay. National parks and many offices are closed, but Social Security and postal services remain mostly unaffected. Lawmakers are expected to continue negotiations in the days ahead.
The effects of the government shutdown are far-reaching. Non-essential government services are suspended or are operating at limited capacity. This impacts services including food inspections, federal loans, permits, and delayed payments for benefits that Americans depend on.
The economic impact is huge. In the past, shutdowns have hurt economic growth. For example, the 2018-2019 shutdown cost our nation's economy $11 billion in lost financial activity. Additionally, these shutdowns impact consumer spending as federal employees and contractors stop receiving income, impacting these individuals and their communities. Additionally, taxpayers often pay more in the wake of a government shutdown; closed services lead to lost revenue, and premiums are added to government contracts due to the government's unreliability as a vendor.
As the government continues to fail to provide funding for the nation, confidence in elected officials and government institutions begins to erode. These failures undermine public health and safety as services lapse. Maintenance and care of government facilities are deferred or neglected. Overall, the government shutdowns are a worrisome trend for US citizens who work for and rely on the government-provided services for daily life.
When governments stall and livelihoods hang in the balance, how can Christians rest in the unshakable truth that God’s kingdom never falters and His care never ceases?
These disruptions are a source of stress and anxiety for Americans who earn a living from the government or rely on its services for their everyday life. Believers are not immune to this stress, but thankfully, we can find comfort in God’s truth when we face uncertainty. Psalm 20:7 reminds,
“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.”
When we witness the government become unreliable, we as Christ followers can be reminded that God is our ultimate provider. Nonetheless, it’s human nature to want to look to tangible man-made structures as something we can find our security in. This trend goes back to the beginning of human history. Moses led God’s people out of captivity under Pharaoh’s rule and into the desert on a mission to find a land God promised they would be able to one day settle in. The journey grew long, the desert felt hot, and Moses wasn’t around. The people grew scared and uncertain, so instead of calling on the One-True-God to rescue them, they made an idol in the form of a golden calf (Exodus 32).
What in the world could a handmade figurine do to provide nourishment for them in the desert? Seems crazy that this would be their go-to plan for redemption, but how often do we fall into the same trap? We see our government grow unreliable, and we just like the Israelites start crafting instead of praying. We worry, we squirm, and our unsettled souls start searching for a new way to find security when the thing we once trusted in starts to seem uncertain. These moments reveal a need for a change in our posture in our hearts. We must remind ourselves that the government wasn’t the one providing for us all along; God alone supplies all our needs.
God Is Our Provider
Psalm 145:14-20 paints a picture of what an amazing provider God is for us:
"The Lord upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing. The Lord is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them. The Lord preserves all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy."
God is carefully watching out for his children. Aware of our need for food. Aware of our cries. Aware of our desires. He upholds us, provides nourishment for us, and allows us to receive our heart's desire. He answers when we call and gives us the strength we need to persevere. We can rely on God’s mercy to lead us towards what we need. Rest is found in God’s presence; even when it feels our lives are sinking, we can find refuge in the shadow of his wings.
Heaven Is Our Home
Jesus reminds us that our home is not of this world. Home is such a powerful concept. It’s the place we feel most at ease. It’s what defines us, it’s shared with those that matter most to us, and we find rest frequently at home.
The other day, my four-year-old was trying to figure out what happens after death. He understands we leave when we die, but he became more and more distressed as he tried to find out when we get to come back home after going to die. For him, home is the ultimate safe place. We go out, we live our lives, and then we are grounded by the home that is ours.
My son's questions reminded me of the truth in John 18:36, which reads, 'Jesus answered, 'My kingdom is not of this world.” If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” Our true home is being prepared for us in Heaven, a concept difficult for my four-year-old to grasp, but as we age and see how broken our home on earth is, it’s comforting to know that the best is yet to come. The goodness of now is merely a shadow of the endless goodness that awaits us in our forever home.
When Life Is Uncertain, Prayer Should Be Our Response
The proper posture when life feels uncertain is one of humble prayer. Philippians 4:6 reminds us, ”Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” We are so very not in control, so when we have a need, the best action we can take is to go to the one who is in control of all things. If you are scared because you are worried the paycheck won’t come or your job will be cut, the first place to find comfort and direction is in the presence of the Lord.
A Prayer for Hope in Times of Uncertainty
Father,
You tell us in your Word that you are the great provider for all things in Heaven and on Earth. Provide for us everything we need for life and to serve you well. Open the doors that you alone can open for our lives. Bring us the nourishment, provisions, opportunities, and peace that we need for today. We trust in you alone. We lift our government to you and ask that you bring more peace and unity to those who are making decisions that impact so many. Help lawmakers make wise and unselfish choices. I thank you for preparing a forever home for me that will be secure. I look forward to the best that is yet to come.
Amen.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Muni Yogeshwaran
Amanda Idleman is a writer whose passion is encouraging others to live joyfully. She writes devotions for Your Nightly Prayer, Crosswalk Couples Devotional, Your Daily Prayer, and more. She has work published with Her View from Home, on the MOPS Blog, and is a regular contributor for Crosswalk.com, Biblestudytools.com, and Christianity.com. She has most recently published a devotional, Comfort: A 30 Day Devotional Exploring God's Heart of Love for Mommas, alongside her husband’s companion devotional, Shepherd. You can find out more about Amanda on her Facebook Page or follow her on Instagram.
