A new year. New problems. But the same old worries.

It's 2009 and America has a brand new President. It is truly an historic moment. From a nation that tolerated slavery 200 years ago, to an African-American becoming the 44th President of the United States. In America anything is truly possible.

That of course is the upside to this country's moment in time. The bad news is the suffering and hurt that comes from an economy that is the worse since the Great Depression. Countless men and women losing jobs, families losing their homes, all being replaced with fear, insecurity and worry.

Whether a follower of Christ or not, worry attacks us all. When I start to get negative my wife calls me "Mr. Sounds Bad." I use to wonder in amazement at how the Israelites of Moses' day could complain and murmur all the time - even after seeing the miracles of the Almighty. Deep down we are just like them. It's our nature.

Jesus knew how easy it is to worry about things. That is why, in Matthew 6:25 he said: Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"

Everything is in the hands of God. You may think your wellbeing is in the hands of our politicians (a truly fearsome thought) but you would be wrong. The Almighty, the Creator of Heaven and Earth is on His throne and as Daniel said "He changes times and seasons, he sets up kings and deposes them."

God can, and does, take care of His own. In fact, He does one better. He takes care of all His creation. The Bible talks about God causing the rain to fall on the just and the unjust. And living in a state where there is drought, everyone - believers and non-believers - are very happy for the rain and snow we have received.

For those of you reading this who are Christians, do not let your heart be troubled. Don't fret what party or group is in power and what they may or may not do in ruling the country. Remember the words of Jesus when talking to Pilate. Pilate said, "Don't you realize I have the power either to free you or to crucify you?" To which Christ replies "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above."

Let us stay focused on what is important: Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. It may be here sooner than we think.

Jeff Henderson
Pastor