More than three decades ago, our church produced a radio program, the theme song of which was the hymn “In Times Like These.” The hymn, both written and composed by Ruth Caye Johnson, first appeared in 1944 and came as a response to personal experiences she had had following serious surgery and as an answer to the general trauma of World War II that was being waged at the time of the song’s composition. Following are the first verse and chorus.
In times like these you need a Savior,
In times like these you need an anchor;
Be very sure, be very sure
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!
This Rock is Jesus, Yes, He’s the One;
This Rock is Jesus, The only One!
Be very sure, be very sure
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!
Like the message of the gospel itself, the simplicity of the words present a profound truth. For whatever the “times like these” are and whenever the “times like these” occur, the reality is that we need a Savior. As unpleasant as trying times may be, they mask the hand of a gracious God who would provoke men and women to look to Him. The Gospel of Luke describes the still-future seven-year tribulation period and speaks of “men’s hearts failing them for fear” (21:26). Truly, those who do not know the Lord in those days will have reason to be afraid. But every age has its fearful moments.
We have only to look our own economy that appears on the verge of collapse, or to consider the European Union with Spain, Italy, Greece, and Ireland (and who knows what other nations) on the brink of financial disaster to recognize the potential for a universal financial depression. Korea with its nuclear tests, Iran possibly on the cusp of obtaining nuclear weapons, multiple Muslim nations rattling their sabers in the Middle East, the continuing desperation of Russia and her people, the ascendancy of communist China—all these and much more are cause for concern and fear.
On the one hand, such looming disaster is an evidence of sin and its inevitable consequences; on the other hand, it is a reminder from a gracious God that natural circumstances offer no security. Troubling times serve as a tacit invitation to turn from sin, to turn from natural things, and to trust in the Lord. Nearly two thousand years ago, the Apostle Paul said it well: “But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (I Cor. 1:22-25).
Perhaps you fear chaos on the horizon; perhaps you are personally comfortable and unconcerned at the moment. The message is the same regardless: “In times like these you need a Savior, In times like these you need an anchor.” May all who might read these words know the salvation that is provided in and through Jesus Christ alone.