It has become more and more difficult for me to watch the news. Whether it be geopolitical issues like Ukraine and Iran, or natural occurrences like storms, fires, and flash flooding, it seems like the bad news keeps coming day after day.
In some ways we shouldn't be surprised. Scripture tells us that things will go from bad to worse before the end comes. Jesus says in the Gospel of Matthew, "You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains." - Matt. 24
Paul says in Romans, "The creation was subjected to frustration, by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption and the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently." - Romans 8
God may at times seem distant and appear remote and far off. God’s hidden ways often confuse and confound us in this life. But our faith and hope are in his revealed Word, Jesus Christ, in his perfect life and sacrificial death for us, and in his glorious resurrection. We know that, while weeping may endure for a night, joy comes in the morning.
If you are down, depressed, or despondent these days - remember that you are not alone. Remember that ...
Adam and Eve were banished
Abraham was tested
Jacob struggled and had a limp
Joseph was left for dead
Job suffered greatly
David was on the run
Elijah was at the end of his rope
Sarah, Hannah, and Elizabeth were barren
Jeremiah was the weeping prophet
Peter denied his Lord
Thomas had doubts
Paul had a thorn in the flesh
Jesus endured persecution and pain
"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the founder and finisher of our faith. For the joy set before Him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such hostility from sinful men, so that you do not grow weary and lose heart" - Heb. 12
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