Stand

God is faithful.  We are living in chaotic, confusing, crazy times.  Last Sunday we learned that Jesus taught us to be prepared for the end times and His return.  Perhaps we are starting the birth pangs of those times.  I am not an end times authority.....I'm not even sure whether the church is leaving this earth pre-trib, mid-trib or post-trib!  I leave that discussion up to the Biblical scholars and I leave the times and ways in the hands of our heavenly Father.  I only know that in the end, Jesus wins! 

We have many reasons to feel fear in this world.  It seems like the enemy is running roughshod over the creation.  Disease, rioting, anger, destruction and division seem to rule the days.  Lawlessness is celebrated, a small unseeable germ keeps us isolated from one another, people believe the lie rather than the truth (which we know is contained in the Bible).  Right is declared wrong, and wrong is encouraged.  2 Timothy 4:3-4  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.   Sadly, I feel we are not only at this point but way beyond it. 

Bad news, right?  But there is good news, great news to go along with it.  As I was listening to the radio, Josh Baldwin's song "Stand in Your Love" came on it, and it brought peace to my heart and mind.  We need not walk in fear and trepidation.  We don't walk alone.  Our lives are held in the safe and loving hands of our Father and our destination is secure...Whatever happens in this world, we are heaven bound.  What a beautiful comfort to know that Romans 8:28 stands true, not matter what goes on around us.  Romans 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.   

One thing that keeps coming to mind as I hear or read about this upside down world we are living in, with all the violence and hate, all the depressing and distressing statistics is that this is not our home.  Yes, we have to live in it, deal with it and experience it, but it should not and cannot hold our hearts.  Jesus told us in Matthew 6:19-21  19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.   Knowing that calms my heart when I start to get agitated at the nightly news (which I watch very little of).   Hebrews 11:16  But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.  Let us set our focus on a better country....our Heavenly county, where our true citizenship lies.   Remembering this helps make the struggles here a little easier, lets peace rule our spirits and reminds us the God is in charge and has a wonderful future for us. 

Jeremiah 29:11  For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Lord, let us not weary in well doing, but be about Your work as we travel through this land on our way to our forever home.  Thank You, that this is not our home, but that You are preparing a place for us and will come again to bring us home.  Speak peace to our hearts, let us not be troubled or afraid.  We know You are our strong tower, a very present help in times of trouble.  Let us shelter beneath Your wings, but let us also remember we are to be salt and light, sharing the Gospel.  Lord help us to navigate these dark days, fulfilling Your will for us.  In Jesus saving Name.  Amen. 

Fear not, for God is with you.  And when fear tries to overtake your heart, run to His Word and stand on His love.