Jan 26, 2021

Hope in what seems to be Despair…

There are many who have been depressed in these times because it seems evil men have have succeeded in forcing totalitarian policies and their diabolical will over men who try to do right and just things as God’s Word defines; the Bible teaches us that tyranny is the history of mankind… The Psalmist, in chapter 10, defines wicked and evil men and their works, but in the end they will fall to God’s judgment, verses 17 & 18:

17 Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble;
You will prepare their heart;
You will cause Your ear to hear,
18 To do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed,
That the man of the earth may oppress no more. Ps 10:17-18

Many of us have much to be thankful for because we have lived in a segment of history and in a place, where for the most part, we have escaped the rampage of evil in our daily lives.

We really don’t know for sure what is going on, but considering the events of this past year, and how they have “upended” most of civilized “normal,” we have to be careful not to be drawn into the cauldron of despair.

Perhaps God is working in ways that we may not understand. Remember, God often let sinful nations (especially His beloved Israel), experience suffering and persecution at the hands of evil rulers, to cause them to repent and get their focus and dependence back upon Him. When they did, He forgave them, delivered them from their tormentors, and restored them to fellowship with Him.

Whatever you view may be concerning these comments, I think if we believe God’s Word and His recorded methods of dealing with evil nations and evil doings of men, that we must trust Him to preserve us through difficult times. He may well (in His Wisdom) decide to graciously care for us in the midst of the problems we find ourselves in, instead of delivering us back to “normal,” at least our view of it.

As a Biblical example of encouragement in adversity, please remember that when Israel had finally pushed God to the end point of His patience, because they chose to continue in their sinful and rebellious activity (even the Priests were corrupted) He let them be humbled by a pagan nation, Babylon, and be carried captive to a far away land… even the faithful were swept away. But that was not the end of it, as 70 years later, just as the prophet Jeremiah foretold, the faithful were returned to their beloved land.

Right in the midst of the despair of being carried away, Jeremiah the prophet spoke these words to them:

11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

To the just, upright, and faithful, these words meant something profound… they would have something to look forward to in faith. It is important for us to decide “WHO” holds our future, not who temporarily rules a “segment of time.” I hope you will read the remarkable words of Jeremiah, consoling God’s faithful; the main message verses are in Jer 29:1-11.

Also notice, the older faithful would die in the land of Babylon, but they were ushered into Yahweh’s bosom upon their death… meaning it is where you end up in eternity, more than where you presently are.

Shalom… John

Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name.;  Ps 63:4