WE’VE ONLY JUST BEGUN

 

Friday, November 19, 2021

 

WE’VE ONLY JUST BEGUN

Matt 24:6-12

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.

9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.

10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

 

          We need to stay focused on Jesus as we are assaulted with the challenges of current events. We are now welded to the television as America awaits the verdict of two murder trials. The cost of everything is inflated and some wonder if a turkey is necessary on Thanksgiving Day! The atmosphere of distrust and hatred is like a smog. It clouds our vision and threatens our health. But wait! It is only the beginning.

 

          Those waiting for a utopia cannot be paying attention. We are instead witnessing a general malaise in governance, a frightening increase in “rumors of war,” and a heavy spirit of disappointment. Hold on tight. Jesus predicted these days would be a prelude to deliverance.

 

          Instant access to what is called news has not benefited us. Today we cannot escape the drama or horror that the pioneers would never hear about. The Pony Express route was nearly 2,000 miles long overland, had about 190 stations (mostly in Nebraska, Wyoming, Utah, and Nevada), and required about 10 days to cover. Each rider generally rode 75 to 100 miles and changed horses every 10 to 15 miles.

 

          Twice in the Gospel of John, chapter 14, Jesus says “let not your heart be troubled.” Perhaps we need to identify and limit our access to troubling things.

 

John 14:27

27 Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]

AMPLIFIED

 

Lord, I confess my wrong focus. Let me narrow my field of vision until I can see you clearly. When I can’t see your purpose, let me see your heart. AMEN