One of the biggest topics in recent months is the election of a confessed communist mayor in New York City. Already in less than one month’s time the administration has been rocked with inconsistencies and scandals. All the while many are looking to flee the city for a better one. In California you have an entire state led by somebody who has lost touch with reality and morality long ago and is now causing the state to suffer in many ways. California considers itself the 4th largest economy in the world. That ranking will not hold under the weight or overregulation and control as more businesses leave or close every year. It also leads the nation in poverty and homelessness. My home town of Buffalo, New York recently announced a 54 million dollar shortfall for 2026. With the state refusing to help them the mayor has been open to the fact that residents will pay more in taxes and fees. This is nothing new for Buffalo or Erie County, who suffered continually for decades of mismanagement. All at the price of residents departing and viable businesses closing or leaving. The population of Buffalo is now less than half it was at its peak. Those are just some examples of many across North America and the world. All of these places were led by those who thought they knew the way and that their ideas were better that what reality showed them. Often better than what standards that conforms to those of God.

One of the most read books of the Bible, Psalms, is full of wisdom that is timeless and applicable in any time in history. This includes the times we have today. Particularly Psalm 107 talks about this looking for a particular city that is favorable to live in:

PSALM 107:1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.

2 Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story— those he redeemed from the hand of the foe,

3 those he gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south.

4 Some wandered in desert wastelands, finding no way to a city where they could settle.

5 They were hungry and thirsty, and their lives ebbed away.6 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.7 He led them by a straight way

    to a city where they could settle.8 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love

    and his wonderful deeds for mankind,9 for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.

One of the keys to overcoming trials is always praising God through them. This passage shows the power of God’s guidance and provisions that ultimately put His children in a better place to live. It was also coupled with the reminder that we should always praise Him to others as he leads us to better places in our lives. Whether it be to a better job or a better place to live. God always provides for those who love Him. Eleven years ago we left the Buffalo area for a small community in Pennsylvania. While it is not perfect, it is our home and It is where we hope to spend the rest of our lives if God is willing to allow us to do so. Every Day when I see what he has given us here it makes me grateful to Him for what he has provided in the result of many answered prayers.

Your Brother in Christ,

Steve Koenig

Lakeshore Fellowship