Such Things Must Happen

 Matthew 24:6-8 [and] Mark 13:7-8 (NIV) 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.

            If I had to guess, the above text will be the topic of many writings, devotionals, and sermons in the coming days. I suppose I am no exception and this is because it is on my heart as well as on yours. We wonder, Why is this happening? When will it end? If this is just the beginning, how could it get any worse? Such questions lead to worry that is all-consuming and paralyzing us with fear. Yet fear is not to be the Christian’s approach. There is something in our heart and mind which must tell us that no matter how dire or devastating our current world circumstances become, God Almighty is still in control. We must be reminded that this all began with the account recorded in Genesis Chapter 3, when the creation (man) first took his eyes off of the Creator (Almighty God) and looked instead to the created (aka, serpent, Satan, adversary, etc.).

Genesis 1:27, 31 (NIV) So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. … God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.

Ecclesiastes 7:29 (NIV) This only have I found: God made mankind upright, but men have gone in search of many schemes.

            There is no mystery as to why we are in the situation we are at in this point in time. Yet there is hope. There is always hope.

Romans 5: 8 (NIV) But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 8:34 (NIV) Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

Romans 10:9-10, 13 (NIV) That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. … for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

            God has given us very precious promises. Among them are the following:

Mark 13:13 (NIV) All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.

Isaiah 35:3-4 (NIV) Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.”

Luke 21:27-28 (NIV) “At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

Revelation 1:7 (NIV) Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him…

Gracious Heavenly Father,

            As our world once again becomes embroiled with war in other nations, we are tense with worry that it does not reach our own shores. We understand such things must happen because the days are evil. Yet in the midst of our deepest concerns, we understand the reality of how sin entered your good creation, and we are so deeply and humbly thankful that you, Almighty God, have provided the ultimate solution by the sacrifice of your only Begotten Son. Strengthen our feeble hearts as we trust in your providential care. May we be found looking for the Blessed Hope of Christ’s return and making wise use of every moment you give us.

            In the name of Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior, Amen.

Job 19:25-27 (NIV) I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!

 

The devotional Such Things Must Happen appeared first on Write From My Heart at writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com