NOT YET!

Wednesday, June 3, 2020

NOT YET!

Matt 24:6-8

6 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.

7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.

           Surely, we think, the return of Jesus can’t be delayed much longer. We see the signs and we feel the pressure but there is a danger in interpreting Scripture with the newspaper.

           Paul warned Timothy that things would grow progressively worse as days went by. That warning is now very old, and many terrors have come and gone but His coming is not yet. The advice given to Timothy is still good for us. “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them.” 2 Tim 3:14 In other words, just keep doing the right thing.

           Jesus warned Peter that his faithfulness would be challenged and then immediately told him to strengthen his brothers. Luke 22:32 says, “ But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” The word “strengthen” here means “to turn resolutely in a certain direction.” Now is not the time for despair but for dedication!

Dear Lord, the world has turned ugly and violent. Help me to keep my wits and my firm resolve. Let me strengthen my brothers. AMEN