Yesterday, my husband and I were talking about the current state of affairs in our state, our nation and the world. He made a comment that I think most of us have at least thought in these confusing times. "I just don't understand what God is doing right now." He's right. We are living in a time of fog, a time of confusion, a time of strife, a time of sin abounding, a time of darkness. It's easy to be frustrated when we can't clearly see what God is doing or why He is allowing certain things to take place. In times when we can't clearly see, we have to rely on guideposts that we've established in our lives to get us through the dark times.
God is always in control. The verse above from Colossians chapter one tells us that Jesus was supreme in the beginning and He is supreme in the end. What a comfort it is to know that from our beginnings to our end, He is there! From creation to the end of the age, when Jesus returns and fully restores "all the broken and dislocated pieces of the universe", He is in control, even when, to us, life seems completely out of control.
I must keep my heart right. Jesus warned us in Matthew chapter twenty four that in the last days people's hearts will fail them because of fear and the lawlessness that abounds. He says that many will become offended and that the love of many will grow cold. Proverbs nineteen verse three says,"The foolishness of man subverts his way [ruins his affairs]; then his heart is resentful and frets against the Lord." In other words, we get resentful and offended at God for the mess that we, mankind, have made. Our daily prayer must become, "Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Psalm 139:23-24 God is our hope and help in these trying times. We mustn't let the enemy or our own offenses towards God create a separation between us and the only One Who can help us to get through life's trials victoriously.
I must obey. "For everyone who comes to Me and listens to My words [in order to heed their teaching] and does them, I will show you what he is like:He is like a man building a house, who dug and went down deep and laid a foundation upon the rock; and when a flood arose, the torrent broke against that house and could not shake or move it, because it had been securely built or founded on a rock. But he who merely hears and does not practice doing My words is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation, against which the torrent burst, and immediately it collapsed and fell, and the breaking and ruin of that house was great." Luke 6:47-49 AMPC If we want to stand strong through these stormy times of spiritual shaking, then we must not only hear God's Word but obey it.
I must trust God's leadership. "The Lord is my Rock, my Fortress, and my Deliverer; my God, my keen and firm Strength in Whom I will trust and take refuge, my Shield, and the Horn of my salvation, my High Tower." Psalm 18:2 AMPC Our trust cannot be in our chosen presidential candidate winning this week's election, in an economic recovery, in a vaccine for covid 19 or in any earthly thing or relationship that we take comfort in. We must trust in no other gods but the one true God. Anything or anyone else that we trust in is only sifting sand. Only our God is a Rock, an immoveable foundation for us to build our lives on.
I must see clearly. Yes, our present circumstances are foggy. But, we must see clearly the future God has for us. Jesus' death and resurrection on the cross is our irrevocable guarantee of a bright future. Jesus will come again. He will make ALL THINGS new. You will be the you that He intended you to be before sin tainted planet earth. All creation will be redeemed and restored to its original intent and design. Remember, "For our light, momentary affliction (this slight distress of the passing hour) is ever more and more abundantly preparing and producing and achieving for us an everlasting weight of glory [beyond all measure, excessively surpassing all comparisons and all calculations, a vast and transcendent glory and blessedness never to cease!], 2 Corinthians 4:17 AMPC
It may be foggy right now friends, but our future is bright. In the meanwhile, God has given us guideposts to keep us on the right path.
Amen.
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