I am particularly troubled by the recent barrage of violence in our country. I trust you are as well. Here are just a few of the heinous crimes in the news:
- The assignation of the Minnesota state Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman, with her husband and pet on June 14.
- The murder of a young Ukrainian Iryna Zarutska on a commuter train in Charlotte, North Carolina on August 22.
- The assassination of Charlie Kirk, a political activist, who was also a Christian, a father and husband, on September 10.
- The genocide of innocent people in Gaza, as reported by a UN Commission.
At this I ask, what is the world coming to!?
On the other hand, I turn to the Scriptures and find that Jesus warned us about such things. In his Olivet Discourse in Matthew 24:12-14:
“And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”
The truth is that since Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, times have always been trying. Atrocities pile up. But we must know that God is sovereign, and nothing escapes His ultimate will. Jesus is alive and the Holy Spirit is at work, bringing many to the saving knowledge of Christ.
We are heading towards a goal. Let us take encouragement with the words of the Nicene Creed that teaches us that Jesus
“…is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead. His kingdom will never end.”
So let us pray and not lose heart. Let us bring our burdens before the Lord who knows what we need before we ask. Let us be ready to act differently than the world on many issues. And let us remember Jesus’ words in John 16:33:
I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Central to Life 