We are facing economic realities that were not envisioned even two years ago. Terrorists are alive and well, pirates are attacking ships on the high seas, and nations are threatening war. When describing conditions in the Middle East, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu used the term "hinge of history." He was referring to the serious challenge facing Israel with the potential for an Iran with nuclear weapons.

In his March 31 article in The Atlantic magazine, Jeffrey Goldberg wrote: "[Netanyahu] said the Iranian nuclear challenge represents a 'hinge of history' and added that 'Western civilization' will have failed if Iran is allowed to develop nuclear weapons." Hinge points can be defined as crucial moments in world history when a change in direction is about to take place—generally for the worse. No doubt we are living in just such a time.

Watching the news on a daily basis can cause you to become discouraged and fail to see the real hope for the future. The apostle Paul wrote some comforting words in Romans 8:28, "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (New American Standard Bible).

World conditions have caused increased depression, suicide and anxiety among the masses. In Daniel 7:25 we read that in the end time the prophesied little horn will "wear out the saints" (King James Version). According to Brown-Driver-Briggs, this is translated from a Chaldean word that means mental affliction. As we get closer to the end of this age, it will be easy to become so engrossed in the horrible conditions of the world that we lose sight of God's promises. The gospel is the good news of the Kingdom of God, but it can be drowned out by all the bad news that surrounds us.

The world is currently facing a time that has never been seen—truly a hinge point of history, a moment of truth. But as Paul assures us, God will see us through any crisis we may experience in this lifetime. As the name of this column states, we must continue marching forward with confidence, knowing that God is the One in charge.

We can't let the bad news, the threats of war, the violence and unstable governments discourage us from our goal. We must see the good news of the Kingdom no matter how much bad news surrounds us. We must always go forward!