I now know less than I did five minutes ago. Today’s news reports leaves me confused about the economy. On one hand, we learn that durable-goods orders declined 0.5 percent in August, following a revised decline of 2.7 percent in July. Durable goods are items intended to last three years or more, such as cars or computers (name me a teenager who considers either to be so "durable"). The report was "far more bearish than anticipated.

On the other hand, sales of new homes rose 4.1 percent in August from a month earlier, a very unexpected jump. Before we get too excited, the article hastens to add that new-home sales were down 17.4 percent from August of last year. But before we get too depressed, the story then states that new-home prices are up nearly $10,000 from last August, and that durable-goods orders are up 10 percent from a year ago. Huh?

Things are no clearer in politics than in economics. This morning's New York Times profiles the upcoming Senate elections and suggests that Democrats "suddenly face a map with unexpected opportunities." The story describes the races in Virginia, Tennessee, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island, each of which the Democrats think they have a chance to win. If they capture six of the seven and don't lose any seats, they retake the Senate. But Republicans are quick to point out that they can win several Democratic states, and that they have more money to spend. It turns out that I know less than I thought I knew, once again.

Such is life on this fallen planet. Technology is getting so complex that simple cell phones which do little more than make calls are now the rage, according to the Times. The paper is reporting that John Gotti will go free again, as jurors failed to convict him on racketeering charges yesterday. Even the jury thought he was guilty of murder, but said the state didn't prove its case. Confusion reigns.

But the Lord of the universe is not as troubled as we are. He sees Friday better than we can see Thursday. His holiness requires him to redeem all that he permits or causes. So pick your most perplexing problem this morning. Put it in words, then put it in your Father's hands. Ask him to work through it for good, as he promised he would (Romans 8:28). Yield your plans and frustrations to his Spirit, submitting your day to his word and will. Know that you will one day know more than you know today (1 Corinthians 13:12). And take heart in the fact that you don't have to understand all God's ways to trust them. What confusion would you like to give to your Creator today?

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