What hope can be found amidst the conflicts in the closing hours of 2016?

Michelle Obama declared there’s no hope because of the election results, but is that the final word for America and our world? As a Christian with a Biblical worldview, I agree with our First Lady, because our hope will never be found in any woman or man. What hope can be found amidst the conflicts in the closing hours of 2016?

Reviewing the most recent conflicts by region:

 

The Middle East

 Conflict over Settlements

The Palestinian Authority (PA) rejoiced over the UN resolution that declared Israel must stop building in the occupied territories immediately.

Israeli leaders protest that Gaza and the West Bank are not occupied territories that once belonged to the Palestinian Authority.  The disputed land had been the spoils of war. One important note here: neither Egypt who lost Gaza nor Jordan who lost the West Bank have ever asked for them back. The PA has no legal right to claim that land is theirs.

 

Conflict over Temple Mount

The UNESCO resolution insisting that the Jewish people have no right to worship on Jerusalem’s Temple Mount passed. They declared it’s never been a part of Jewish history and belongs to the Palestinians.

The counter argument has strong historical evidence to the contrary. Since Islam began in the seventh century after the birth of Christ, and the history of the Jewish people in Israel/Jerusalem predates that by many centuries, one wonders how such a resolution passed. Nevertheless, it did, and the conflict continues.

 

Conflict over Mosul

The Iraqi military, aided by western forces, continue their assault on the fallen city of Mosul under the guise of liberating the citizens from the Islamic State.

These innocent men, women, and children are Sunni Muslims, fearing that their deliverance into the hands of their Shiite rescuers will be leaping from the frying pan into the fire. Reports have confirmed their nightmare is real.

 

Conflict over refugees

Turkey continues to be used as a conduit to refugees seeking immigrant status in Western Europe. The European Union leaders have already given Turkey bundles of cash to help them cope with the needs of the refugee population. Turns out it’s not money Turkey wants.

Their latest threat is that they will let all the refugees through, unhindered, unless the E.U. grants all Turkish citizens work permits and visa-free travel throughout Western Europe. The expectation is that the working Turks will send money home to their families.

The difficulty comes in simple statistics. The 2015 census recorded nearly 80 million citizens in Turkey, 99.8% Muslims. The Islam of Turkey is beginning to demonstrate more radical views. Is it any wonder the EU resists the aforementioned condition for continued cooperation re: refugees?

 

Europe

Conflict over asylum seekers

On the one hand, the government of Germany wants to offer refuge to families fleeing the war in Syria. Their expectation was that the immigrants would assimilate into German society. As Germany’s population ages, they needed young people to fill the work spots for the good of the country. Sounded like a win-win for both Germany and those fleeing the war—until it didn’t.

After one year, less than 1% of those accepted, financed and trained to work, actually do.

On the other hand, it’s not easy to rid the country of those whose application for refugee status was denied. As exposed in the horrendous murder of Christmas Market shoppers in Berlin, the killer’s home country wouldn’t take him back when the government of Germany tried to deport him months ago.

 

Europe/North America/Asia

Conflict over climate change

On one side of the issue, we’re fed regular doses of how our use of current energy sources is destroying the planet. The evidence is touted as having the unanimous backing of the scientific community.

Based on their facts, $30 billion American tax dollars has already been handed to five foreign companies to halt the global warming slide. During the last Paris conference, Obama promised another $100 billion. Look closely—that’s billion with a B.

On the other side of the issue, there are hundreds of well-known scientists who disagree with the whole notion of climate change. The scientists include Nobel Prize winners. Ridiculous, hoax and other such expressions came from these men, well before Donald Trump used them when asked about global warming.

Research by noted physicists discovered the following points:

• Temperature change. In more than one hundred years, the temperature has increased a total of 0.8 degrees. Can another 0.8 degrees over the next hundred years change much on the planet?

• Temperature Stability. Scientists found not a single fraction of a degree increase in the global temperatures over the past eighteen-plus years. Sounds fairly stable, doesn’t it?

• Ocean depth. The ocean depth has decreased 20 cm in each of three 100-year cycles. Our current use of available energy sources hasn’t affected the change in ocean depth at all.

Hmm? I’m no physicist. I know only what the news broadcasted about global warming, but I reckon what we can deduce about climate change is that there really is no consensus. At least, that’s what a Google search of both sides revealed.

 

The US of A

Conflict over election results

Whether you listen to the major American news networks, read the online offerings, or just tune into social media channels, the primary conflict in the US of A as 2016 draws to a close remains the unexpected victory of President-Elect Donald J. Trump.

I asked the Lord to raise up a David to direct America. You know, a man after God’s own heart? Can’t you just picture that shepherd boy tossing that smooth stone, slaying the giant? How I longed for a King David to sit in the Oval Office.

Instead, the Lord may have given us a Cyrus—not a shepherd but a Gentile king. Will this strong leader also be willing to follow the instructions of Yahweh, the Almighty God of the Jews?

The story in Isaiah 45 turned out great for God’s people. Time will tell for America.

 

Conclusion

So, what hope can be found amidst the conflicts in the closing hours of 2016? Only one, but it’s a big one.

We’re only sojourners on Planet Earth. This is my Father’s world. Whatever it may look like just now, God’s in control.

The answer: Our hope is found in God alone, the Maker of Heaven and Earth.

On the morning of November 8, my own anxiety found rest in a familiar hymn. I’ve clung to the truth of its verses and plan to sing it often during the challenges of 2017.

 

This Is My Father’s World

This is my Father’s world, and to my list’ning ears
All nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres.

This is my Father’s world: I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas—His hand the wonders wrought.

 

This is my Father’s world: The birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white, declare their Maker’s praise.

This is my Father’s world: He shines in all that’s fair;
In the rustling grass, I hear Him pass, He speaks to me everywhere.

 

This is my Father’s world: Oh, let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.

This is my Father’s world, the battle is not done:
Jesus who died shall be satisfied, and earth an Heav’n be one.

By Maltbie D. Babcock, 1901

Unfamiliar with this hymn? Click to hear it sung.

 

Happy New Year!