Life In These Turbulent Days
You need look no further than regular television to see the signs of the times we live in. Musical performers proudly flaunt their anti-Christian sentiments, and, without regard for young viewers, perform sexually suggestive routines that aren’t even appropriate for adults. How can we have peace in these times? How can we confidently raise our children and grandchildren in a culture that has no regard for God? The Bible tells us, “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” (2 Timothy 3:1-5 NKJV). It is no coincidence that the Grammy performance Sam Smith and Kim Petras chose to entertain the audience was their collaborative song, “Unholy,” which involved both performers draped in red. It is also no coincidence that CBS replied to a tweet by Sam Smith with the following comment: “We’re ready to worship!”
But what can we do as Christian parents, guardians, friends, and grandparents? 2 Timothy 3:5 give us the answer: “And from such people turn away!” We have to turn our TVs off. We have to monitor the programs and music our children and grandchildren are watching and listening to. We have to TURN AWAY from evil ourselves, and not allow this spirit of anti-Christ into our homes. We cannot approach this with an attitude of, “Do as I say, not as I do.” We have to turn away ourselves, we have to set the example, and we have to take a stand.
Jesus tells us in Matthew 24:42-44, “ Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” Jesus also tells us that in the last days, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.” The war in Ukraine has displaced more than 13 million people. Currently, the countries of Ethiopia, Yemen, South Sudan, Somalia, and Afghanistan are experiencing famine, and in the United States more than one in five (21.6%) adults reported household food insecurity in the summer of 2022. In 2022 there were a reported 15,438 earthquakes of magnitude 4.0-9.9 globally, and the death toll from the February 6, 2023 earthquakes in Turkey and Syria has reached nearly 47,000.
As hopeless as it all seems, the Bible has words of comfort for each of us. Philippians 4:6-7 tells us, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” The Psalmist tells us in Psalm 62:8, “Trust in Him at all times, you people;
Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.”
May the God of hope and peace comfort you in these days we’re living in. Despite the condition of the world and the worry many of us feel, I will leave you with my favorite verse of comfort for times like these: “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).
God bless each and every one of you.
