Friday, July 8, 2016
In light of this morning’s tragic news out of Dallas concerning the police officers who were killed and wounded, I was reminded again that we are indeed living in perilous times, just as Paul predicted in his second letter to Timothy. (2 Tim. 3:1) I wonder how many of you, even 10 years ago, ever thought we would be living in times like these. Who would have thought there would be so much hate, anger, violence, and mistrust in our nation, that we would be living in a time when even people no longer trusted in their elected officials and those who are in positions of authority in any level?
Today’s news also brought to my mind, the prophet Habakkuk. He was living in times like ours, and just like many of us he was fed up with it. He took his complaint to God about it with these words: “How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds. Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted.” (Hab. 1:1-4) Now, you tell me: is this not a pretty accurate description of today’s world?
The question remains: what can we do about it? Well, we can pray, or try to share God’s love and His message of hope through His Son, Jesus. We can try to live a different life that those out in the world who don’t know Christ. Finally, we can do what Habakkuk did. If you read to the end of his three chapter book, you will see that he resolved himself to continue to trust and be joyful in his God despite the things he was facing. We can do the same. Regardless of how bleak things may look sometimes, we know that we have more than just a bright future as the children of God, we have a glorious and eternal one. Let’s do our best while we’re here, but let us forever rejoice in the Lord regardless of the circumstances.
Memory verse for the week: (Proverbs 22:1) “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.”
