The nations shall revere your name, O LORD, and all the kings of the earth your glory, When the LORD has rebuilt Zion and appeared in his glory; When he has regarded the prayer of the destitute, and not despised their prayer. // Psalm 102:16-18

We were sitting around one evening, reflecting and commiserating about the state of the current culture—the moral confusion, lack of faith, weakened leadership—and on and on about what is wrong with the world. It was one of those conversations that can lead to anger and self-righteousness, or discouragement.  

Of course my attempts to “solve the world’s problems” are often not the way the Lord does it. At times it’s more of me in my flesh, than me in the heart of Christ.

Lord, it is so discouraging that many people don’t revere Your Name or welcome Your truth and love. Why don’t You bring judgment on this unbelieving generation?

In today’s First Reading and Psalm, we see the Lord’s deep love and desire for all of the nations to revere His Name. When will I learn that God’s strategy for solving the world’s problems and redeeming the human race is so different from mine? 

Christ came into the world as a baby, humble and dependent like the child in today’s Gospel (see Matthew 18:4). He was never influenced by what others thought of Him or affected by the disciples’ lack of faith. He never took matters into His own hands out of frustration or unjust anger. Instead, He was firmly fixed on obeying His Father’s will. He came to free all people, even those within our current culture, from moral confusion and faithlessness—and to free me (and you) from fear, striving, and self-importance. 

Sister, today if you are overwhelmed by what’s wrong with the world, if you are battling discouragement or a judgmental spirit, remember that God is firmly in control of ALL things.

He is resolutely determined to save His children through the sacrificial death of His Son, and there is no power in Heaven or on earth that can thwart His love. May the Lord give us hearts inflamed with love and mercy for those who do not yet know Him. May every discussion of the world’s problems end with the name of Jesus on our lips. He alone is the Savior of the world.