At All Times
September/29/2008 09:43 AM
The times in which we live could be considered the most exciting times in the history of mankind. We can see and hear with our own eyes and ears Biblical prophecy coming to pass.
There are wars and rumors of wars, nation rising against nation. Natural disasters are increasing all over the world. Famine, sickness and disease are at epic proportions as new strains of viruses and bacteria challenge the medical world. We see the timeline of events unfolding as we observe the nation of Israel and throughout the Middle East. These signs are just to name a few, but Jesus said they would come. He called them birth pangs.
When we start looking at all that is going on in the world how could this be exciting? Well, to the lost soul it is an utter nightmare, but to the believer it is just confirmation that we should continue to look up because our redemption draws nigh. The exciting part is that it all means that the rapture of the church and the second coming of the Lord are at hand.
We must guard ourselves from worrying and living in fear of the times. We have to trust God to protect us and care for our needs. We have to purpose in our hearts to trust Him now as we did in less challenging times. We have to continue to take God at His word like the apostle Paul said in Phil. 4:9:
“But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
It is so easy to lose our grip of faith when we hear all the reports of the plots of terrorist groups to carry out their evil plans. Fear tries to set up residence in us as the cost of living goes up daily. We can easily be flooded with thoughts such as, “Will I be able to pay my mortgage and buy enough groceries this month? Will I be able to afford gas for my car so I can get to work? If I lose my job, how will I take care of my family?
Listen to what Jesus said about worry in Luke 12:22-26 “Then Jesus said to His disciples: ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap; they have no storeroom or barn, yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than the birds! Who of your by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?’”
We need to trust Him at all times. Worry never changes things for the good. We need to remind ourselves that God’s word works just as well in the hard times as it does in the easier times. Faith in God’s promises, instead of worrying, is what puts the power and provision of God into action for us. We can live each day with God’s peace that passes all understanding! Remember that we walk by faith and not by sight. Every morning we can make our declaration that our God is Jehovah Jireh! He’s our provider!
2 Thess. 3:16 : “Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way.”
kimconnor@whwc.org
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