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| Distressing Times |
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I remember a few years ago standing on the border at the DMZ between South and North Korea. At the time, it was said that the most tense environment on the planet was that very spot. Signs warned us to stay in our car because landmines were sprinkled all along the side of the road driving toward the border. Soldiers stood there on the borderline at rapt attention, staring each other down with hatred in their eyes.
In some ways, I feel like the whole globe senses that kind of tension these days. The antagonism that exists between nations of the world and the growing ability for global destruction through nuclear power looms over us. The worldwide economic crisis has already impacted almost every one of us. Chances are very likely that if you aren't losing your job or your house, you know somebody who is. I don't remember a period in my lifetime when the world seemed more volatile. If you are confident about what the world will look like in five years, you're way out ahead of me because I can't begin to imagine.
What is the answer during these distressing times? It all comes back down to the foundational truth in the first four words of the Bible. "In the beginning God" says Genesis 1:1. The word "God" in the verse is the Hebrew name Elohiym. The word is plural and means, "rulers, judges, divine ones." The word points to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
During these difficult days, remember that there is an Eternal Godhead who has joined Himself to us to guide us through the challenging affairs of this world. All of my life I've heard preachers tell how things would get worse before the end and now that things are getting much worse, many of these same Christians act horrified by world events, as if they can't understand what is happening or why it is happening.
The answer is clear: It is happening because our Sovereign God is working out all things to complete His unfolding plan for the ages. There is a God who oversees every detail of this world. Things don't randomly happen. The same God who was "in the beginning" is the Ever-Present Ruler of all things even now. He is the Alpha (the beginning) and the Omega (the end) and everything in between.
It's normal to feel pain and express grief in distressing times, but in the midst of our feelings we can hold onto our God by faith. Not only does He have global events under control, but He also has the details of your life under control. Your job; your mortgage; your retirement account; your health; your future is all in His control. So trust Him even though you can't see what's ahead.
In the beginning, God. In the end, God. In the meantime, God. If our God is loving as we have always professed Him to be (and He is) and if He is all-powerful as we have always professed Him to be (and He is), then we can cling to Him now, knowing that whatever might happen in our world, our country, our family, or our individual life is okay. Not a sparrow falls to the ground without His supervision. So you can be sure that you have nothing to fear.
Feelings rise and fall, based on external stimuli. Faith remains steadfast, based on the eternal goodness of power of the One who holds us in His hand. So, when you're scared, look to Him. When you're confused, look to Him. When life makes no sense and you don't know what to do, look to Him. He will see us through.
"KNOWN UNTO GOD ARE ALL HIS WAYS"
He knows from the beginning!
He moves forward to a purposed point and a glorious goal.
Man often fails to finish what he begins,
but God never begins what He does not finish.
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| To add a comment to "Distressing Times " |
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| July 03, 2009 |
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Excellent, absolute truth. Praise be to the one who is worthy!! Jesus!!
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| July 03, 2009 |
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...Jesus Christ came to save the world--not just a sinner here, a sinner there. He wants us to disciple the nations--not just a few individuals. The Lord Jesus will not be satisfied in the success of His mission until the whole earth is singing His praises. On the basis of God's infallible promises, the Chruch must pray and work for the expansion of the Kingdom, with the expectation that god will fill His Church with "a great multitude, which no one can count, from every nation and tribes and peoples and tongues".
We must stop acting as if we are forever destined to be a subculture. WE ARE DESTINED FOR DOMINION; we should reflect our expectation of dominion and our increasing capacity for responsibility. we should not see ourselves as lonely outposts surrounded by an increasingly hostile world; that is to bear false witness against God. The truth is just the opposite of that. It is the devil who is on the run, it is paganism which is doomed to extinction. Christianity is ultimately the dominant culture, predestined to be the final and universal religion. The Church will fill the earth. |
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| July 03, 2009 |
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The above is an excerpt from Paradise Restored by David Chilton. This is an excellent book! |
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