Reversing negative trends

There is concern today about a slide toward a violent wold crisis as instability in the Near East and conflicts of interest among major powers continue. But fear of negative developments needn't crowd out our faith in God's power. Insight into the ways and means of God's divine government not only comforts us personally but also opens the way for concrete progress in world events.

The Bible records examples of people who so deepened their faith in God's ability to help that remarkable things happened. Jehoshaphat, a king of Judah, once had to defend his land against Moabites, Ammonites, and Edomites, all neighboring peoples. The compilers of II Chronicles record that Jehoshaphat "feared, and set himself to seek the Lord." n1 His people followed this example, and to one man, Jahaziel, came this inspired assurance: "The battle is not yours , but God's." n2 The defenders praised God and sang to Him just before what threatened to be a major battle. Then "the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir [Edomites] . . . . So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet: for his God gave him rest round about." n3 Thus faith in God and action in accord with that faith reversed a negative situation.

n1 II Chronicles 20:30;

n2 v. 15;

n3 vv. 22, 30

Today, God's laws are just as supportive of peace, just as capable of bringing about resolutions. War can be stopped before it happens. What is called for is insight into God's modem of government. God rules, through spiritual law, and understanding this, even in part, develops a practical faith in His power to help us help the world on a day-to-day basis.

Christian Science opens up the Biblical truth that God is all power. He is the one divine Mind, the only Mind. All signs of many conflicting minds, and of the resulting antagonistic ideologies and clashing interests, are simply not what is really going on.

And what is really going on? Divine Mind, God, making and governing His man -- the only man, spiritual and perfect -- through divine law. God's power is expressed through Mind's absolute direction and ordering of His peaceful creation. Any evidence to the contrary is not in accord with God's law, and His law can't be abrogated. The actual status of man is characterized by peace and harmony.

Even a partial perception of this higher peace builds a scientific faith that degenerating international relations can and will be corrected. No power attributed to negative situations need be accepted. Hatred and unyielding attitudes have no real power, even though, to the material senses, they seem to contradict the government of God. Our faith in Him however, is shown in our willingness to accept His peace, under divine law, as the only governing power in heaven and on earth.

Such trust can be gained even in the face of contradicting signs. It comes through prayer, through persistent realization of the facts of being. Christianly scientific thought neutralizes and destroys martial ideologies and warlike motives.It blesses all makind.

Destructive traits are no part of man or of his spiritual heritage. Human progress depends on an ever clearer perception of God as the true and only Father-Mother of all men, women, and children. The whole concept of conflict-ridden mortal identity will yield to this simple fact.

Enlightened faith in God will lead mankind out of all discord. Conflicts stemming from differences of race, ideology, religion, or tradition will be resolved in the light of Mind's oneness and allness. Mary Baker Eddy n4 writes, "To coincide with God's government is the proper incentive to the action of all nations." She adds later, "The government of divine Love is supreme." n5

n4 Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science

n5 The First Church of christ, scientists, and Miscellany,m p. 278.

We can daily set our mental course according to the present all-power of Love's government. Some day Christianly scientific facts will be seen to govern completely -- in this world.m And we can shorten the time to this reign of divine peace by cultivating a simple, deep trust in God. DAILY BIBLE VERSE The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. Proverbs 18:10