Haley Our God is awesome. Year after year He has helped us, if not carried us, through very difficult times. This coming year promises to be a challenging one for the entire world, perhaps one of the most challenging in many years, and yet God is able to get us through it.

The question in our minds is, "Will He?" I'm reminded by the Scriptures that in the Old Testament times, the children of Israel went through the wilderness with the words of God ringing in their ears as He passed before them saying, "The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, …" (Exodus 34:6)

I like the idea of mercy and grace, but it doesn't say anything about food and heat, or houses to live in. Yet we know that as long as they trusted in His goodness, He did provide shelter by day, a fire by night, and daily bread straight from heaven.

However in the next verse we get the rest of what God spoke:

" … keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation."

This verse suggests that there's a connection between God's provisions and our actions. It appears that Moses understood this connection very well as we read his response in verse 8:

"And Moses made haste, and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshipped."

Good idea! It's not a novel thought that we should worship God, when He provides for us in so many ways. Just remembering where the air we breathe comes from should be enough to bring us to our knees. Yet in times of ease we can so easily forget His faithfulness.

Another Scripture comes to mind and is often recited during national calamities.

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14

Again, we have a very sensible response to hard times, and maybe even a solution to hard times—worshipping God. True worship involves humbling ourselves before Him, praying, and repenting of sins.

We know He has provided that forgiveness of sins through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Jesus said: "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30.

God only knows if the coming year is really going to be as bad as they say. But whether or not the dire predictions are on target, this would be a really good year for us all to make a simple, and fairly easy New Year's resolution: Worship the Lord this year. Get back into the habit of going to church on every week. Read the Bible, and pray every day.

Remember, times are hard, but God is good.

Eric Haley is pastor at Calvary Chapel.