Our
world seems to be violently ripping itself apart. Each day the news is filled
with the latest conflict. ISIS continues to terrorize parts of Syria and Iraq.
Hamas insists on launching rockets into Israel and then cries foul when Israel
responds in kind. Russia continues to sow the seeds of revolution in Ukraine,
seeking to disrupt and destabilize that nation. Extremists in Nigeria kidnap
women and children. Christians are being singled and attacked for their faith.
In
our own country, morality has been made subservient to legality. Rather than
have the courage to take a moral stand, we pass laws to protect those who choose
the path of immorality. People are being taken to court for exercising their
constitutional and moral right to live according to their religious
convictions.
The
Bible warns us that we can expect the arrogance of sinful people to take center
stage. Paul warned Timothy to be on his guard against this moral, tidal change.
In
the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the
dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach
the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and
encourage--with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come
when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own
desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what
their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth
and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure
hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your
ministry. 2 Timothy 4:1-5 (NIV)
The
Apostle Peter also sounded the warning about what was coming. He called for
believers to stand firm in the face of growing opposition. Therefore, since Christ suffered
in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has
suffered in his body is done with sin. As a result, he does not live the rest of his
earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. For you
have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do--living in
debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They think it strange that you do not plunge
with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you. But
they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the
dead. For this is the reason the gospel
was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged
according to men in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to
the spirit. 1 Peter 4:1-6 (NIV)
In
the face of the almost daily decay of our world, it is easy to get discouraged
and lose heart. It seems like Satan and evil are winning and that we are
powerless to stop it. But all is not lost!
Today,
in my devotions, I read Psalm 2. It is extremely relevant to our day. As I read
these verses, I couldn’t help but think of what is going on in our world today.
The arrogance of humanity continues to grow. We continue to throw off restraint
and move toward anarchy. But God is not threatened by this tempest in a teacup.
He shakes His head at those who shake their fist at Him. He is still firmly in
control, and His plan and purpose will prevail. Psalm 2 is a resounding word of
hope for all who put their trust in Christ.
Psalm
2:1-12 (NIV)
Why
do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth
take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against
his Anointed One. "Let us break their chains," they say, "and
throw off their fetters."
The
One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. Then he rebukes them
in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, "I have installed my
King on Zion, my holy hill."
I will proclaim the decree of the
Lord: He said to me, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father. Ask
of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your
possession. You will rule them with an iron scepter; you will dash them to
pieces like pottery."
Therefore,
you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with
fear and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be
destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment.
Blessed
are all who take refuge in him.
God
laughs at the arrogance of humanity. For all of our perceived power, we are no
match for the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Jesus has already won the
ultimate victory over sin and death. Satan is whipping up the world in violent
protest against Christ’s rule and reign. But he cannot prevail. He is already a
defeated enemy. Jesus is building His
church, and the gates of Hell cannot prevail against it.
Satan
is going to do whatever he can to make things uncomfortable for us. As we draw
closer and closer to the return of Christ, we can expect Satan to continue to
disrupt our world. In the face of this, we can stand firm in the confidence we
have in Christ. We can continue to fight the battles that are before us,
knowing that no matter what happens, we will prevail in the end.
As
we stand shoulder to shoulder with our brothers and sisters in Christ, we can
still make a significant difference for all of eternity. Therefore…
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the
devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist
him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout
the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
And the God of all grace, who called you to
his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will
himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the
power for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 5:8-11 (NIV)
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