AN ANXIOUS COUNTDOWN!

 

Tuesday, December 8, 2020

 

AN ANXIOUS COUNTDOWN!

 

Luke 21:25-28

25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;

26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

 

           It greets me every morning. The Christmas countdown calendar today reminds me that there are only 17 days until Christmas. If I were a child, I would be wildly excited to learn this. I would be thinking of presents, family, and food. As a senior adult those feelings have been replaced.

 

           In 1941, it was one day after the attack on Pearl Harbor and the Philippine Islands. America was reeling from the blow, counting their dead, and caring for their wounded. Politics were temporarily set aside because there was now an enemy more deadly than each other. The attack took place at the beginning of the holiday season on a Sunday! It was infamous!

 

           The word “perplexity” in verse 25 is the Greek word aporia which means “a quandary.” It is akin to the word aporrhipto which means “to hurl oneself off a precipice.” This is the emotional state of the end times. It is what we feel today.

 

           Right stands on the curb watching wrong riot in the streets. Truth stands aghast while lies march unclothed and without shame. Honor holds hands with integrity and vows to jump off a cliff. We see the problem clearly enough, but we don’t know what to do about it. That is the meaning of perplexity!

 

           The countdown has begun. When these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh!

 

I know I shall see in His beauty

The King in whose Law I delight;

Who lovingly guardeth my footsteps,

And giveth me songs in the night.

 

Dear Lord, today we change the numerals on the countdown calendar. We see “these things” beginning and we are perplexed but we know that we are moving rapidly toward heaven. Comfort those who mourn today. AMEN