We are living in very uncertain times. The war in Ukraine has entered its fourth year. The recent attacks against Iran have reinflamed the Middle East. There is internal upheaval within our own country as ICE continues to arrest immigrants. As followers of Jesus, how should we respond?
It is
easy for us to get caught up in all of the rhetoric and political upheaval. If
we are not careful, we will respond in ways that undermine our faith and our
witness in the world. Unfortunately, many people who claim to be Christians
have chosen to endorse this negative path. We need to take a step back, away
from all of the political rhetoric, and try to view things from a biblical
perspective.
First,
we should not be surprised by what is going on. Jesus warned us that we should
expect exactly what we are seeing. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars,
but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is
still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the
beginning of birth pains. Matthew 24:6-8 (NIV) Jesus’ message is don’t
panic. In fact, He gave us an assurance that we can weather this storm. "I have told you these things,
so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take
heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33 (NIV)
Here in
America, we have lived in relative peace and prosperity for quite a while. We
have come to expect this as the norm. That norm is being challenged every day.
We are surprised and shocked by the events of our world, yet Jesus warned us
that this is what we should expect.
Knowing
this does not make what is happening right or easier to handle. But it should
put things into perspective so that we can approach things from a godly
perspective. When we are overly anxious about events, we are off balance and
find it hard to respond in appropriate ways. We live in a sinful, fallen world
and we should expect people to act in sinful, fallen ways.
Second, don’t
buy into the blame game. The pattern of this world is to blame others for what
is wrong; to condemn them and demonize them. It is right to point out things
that are wrong, but it is wrong to put ourselves in the seat of judgement.
Jesus warned us to refrain from a judgmental spirit.
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the
same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it
will be measured to you. "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your
brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you
say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time
there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of
your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your
brother's eye. Matthew 7:1-5 (NIV)
We often
judge others to make ourselves feel better or to justify our actions. We need
to remember that we are all sinners in need of God’s grace. Buying into the
blame game only makes our situation worse, not better.
In the
midst of all that is going on, we need to have the courage to live out our
faith in practical ways. We have been called to be salt and light in our world.
When we
look at the big picture, we can feel overwhelmed and helpless to make a
difference. That sense of helplessness can immobilize us. That is exactly what
Satan wants to happen.
The
early church lived in a chaotic, violent world, even more so than the world we
live in. Yet, they transformed that world by showing compassion and kindness to
those who God brought into their circle of influence. We can do the same. If we
want to turn things around in our world, we need to commit to living lives of
compassion and kindness where we are. We can all make a difference in our
world, one person at a time.
Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the
world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans
that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and
glorify God on the day he visits us.
1 Peter 2:11-12 (NIV)
Remember
who we are. Our citizenship is in heaven. We are only aliens and strangers in
this world. There is an old hymn titled This World is not My Home. It
expresses the attitude we should have as we face the challenges of life. One
warning! This does not mean that we are to circle the wagons and hold on until
Jesus comes. We have been called to be actively involved in the affairs of this
world in order to be God’s presence. God is our King and no other. Not only
that, we are His beloved children. He cares about us. We can trust Him.
Finally,
we need to strengthen our trust in God and His Sovereignty. Ultimately, God is
control of this world and He will accomplish His purposes through it. God can
and will take all of the things that are going on and use them for our good and
His glory. Especially when we can’t understand what is going on, we need to
hold onto our faith in God.
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in
trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the
mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and
the mountains quake with their surging. Selah Psalms 46:1-3 (NIV)
What can
we do to make a difference in the face of unsettling circumstances? Here are a
few practical suggestions.
1. Pray for God’s will to be done.
2. Pray for those in power that they would have wisdom and discernment
to know what is right and to the courage to do what it right. I urge, then,
first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for
everyone-- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and
quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NIV)
3. Refuse to get caught up in all of the political rhetoric.
Praise the LORD. Praise
the LORD, O my soul. I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to
my God as long as I live. Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who
cannot save. When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very
day their plans come to nothing. Psalms 146:1-4 (NIV)
4. Guard against letting anxiety take control of your
thinking. Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your
gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about
anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present
your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers,
whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or
praiseworthy--think about such things. Philippians 4:4-8 (NIV)
We
are living in very challenging times. There are many things that discourage and
even frighten us. We feel helpless. What we feel is real. But we serve a God is
not helpless. God is ultimately in control of this world, even when we cannot
see His hand at work. God can and will use these circumstances for His glory
and ultimately for our good. We can trust Him.
I lift up my eyes to the hills-- where does my help
come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will
not let your foot slip-- he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he
who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD watches over
you-- the LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by
day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all harm-- he will watch
over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and
forevermore. Psalms 121:1-8 (NIV)
