It is often the case that things don’t get better until they get worse—sometimes much worse! Even when our leaders deceive us, disappoint us, and design evil against us—desiring to destroy what we hold dear, good can come from it. I said “can”, not “will”. If the evil toward us does not awaken us and spur us to action we can expect more and more bad news–it will get “much worse”. It never gets better until we get right!
In the light of all the problems that plague us, we would do well to listen to what James Meikle wrote in 1794:
I am taught some noble lessons:
1. To expect no solid or lasting happiness
in anything but in God.
2. To see how much we may be mistaken
in our opinion of men and things.
3. To expect nothing but disappointment and pain in
the world–and so to be prepared for misfortunes.
4. To build upon no present state of things; for a storm
of troubles may gather from any place, and at any time.
5. In all things to rejoice in being forever with
God, who will eternally wipe all tears from our
eyes, and sorrow from our hearts!
