“Pray, Don’t Panic”
I was thinking this morning about all of the tragic events that have happened in our country and around the world just in the last month or two. I know with the immediacy of the Internet and news media we hear about the events more quickly and more often. Although I’m sure these kind of things have happened in the past without us knowing, unless it happened in our “neck of the woods”, I believe the intensity and frequency of these violent acts have increased. That’s exactly what Scripture says will happen as the time of Christ’s appearing nears.
“And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars; see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes in diverse places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted and shall kill you, and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. And then shall many be offended and shall betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” Matthew 24:6-13
I don’t know about you, but that sounds like the day in which we are living.
As a result of seeing the violence rising and threats and attacks against core Christian values increasing, we can become fearful. That is exactly what the enemy wants. Satan wants us to fear because fear is the opposite of faith. If our faith decreases, our influence on the world around us also decreases. We need to realize that time is running short and we need to be more diligent about spending time in prayer and in studying God’s Word, so we can guard our hearts against deception.
As we spend more time with the Father, He strengthens us, our faith increases, and our fear dissipates.
As we see the prophecy of Daniel and Jesus being fulfilled, we need to pray more earnestly for our nation. As we as a church repent and humble ourselves, God will hear us from heaven and heal our nation (2 Chronicles 7:14).
We can hasten Christ’s coming by allowing His light to shine brighter through us, being salt and light to the world, and being effective witnesses wherever we go, leading others to repent, be saved and follow Him. Don’t allow the events of the day to cause you to panic, but allow them to cause you to seek God more fervently and more frequently.
I John 3:13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.
James 5:7-8 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold a husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and the latter rain. Be ye also patient, stablish your hearts, for the coming of the lord draweth nigh.
I John 4:18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
Acts 22:14-15 And he said The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth. For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.
