The world is a dangerous place. The last century saw more deaths from war than all previous centuries combined. And just a few years into the 21st century, we may be heading for a new record. Countless numbers suffer and die as victims of war, pestilence, malnutrition, disease. This world seems to be an increasingly dangerous place.
Even in our technologically advanced age, life is quite precarious. We may no longer face daily dangers from such things as wild beasts and creatures of the night, but there are plenty of new dangers that abound. Viruses, cancers, infections, radiation. It seems there is no safe haven from the dangers that surround us.
In the 17th century the hymn writer Hans Brorson penned the hymn, "I Walk in Danger All The Way", which pretty much describes the life of a person living today.
"I walk in danger all the way, the thought shall never leave me
that Satan, who has marked his prey, is plotting to deceive me.
this foe with hidden snares may seize me unawares
if I should fail to watch and pray, I walk in danger all the way."
It's a war out there, for sure. What most people don't realize, however, is that the world is a much more dangerous place than it appears. The violence and chaos of this world have their roots in a much more insidious and disturbing warfare between unseen spiritual forces in the heavenly realms. We are not simply at war with ourselves and with one another - we are at war with the enemies of sin, death, and the devil.
Human beings are in danger because they are in a broken relationship with their Creator, and because they live in a world that is in frustration and bondage to decay.
From this bondage God in Christ comes to free us and to deliver us. By His cross and empty tomb we are freed from the oppression of sin, death, and the power of the devil. Jesus our Deliverer comes to save us - to liberate us from the dark evil forces that held us in their grasp. Jesus comes to bring us genuine freedom and liberty - He comes to set the captives free.
Thanks be to God - we have a Deliverer! And thanks be to God, that although in this world we may have to walk in danger all the way ... we also walk with Jesus ... all the way.
2 comments:
Was surprised to read recently that so far in the Syrian conflict the fatalities in Syria alone are close to half a million! Danger abounds around us, yes, but where sin abounds, Grace much more abounds. What Good News! Thanks for the post.
the syrian situation is a terrible tragedy indeed, but somehow jesus still rules in the midst of the ruins. thanks dad
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