Don't you feel like that these days? When we turn on the TV or look at Facebook, read Twitter, watch YouTube or TikTok it is easy to get completely inundated by bad news. What new disease is spreading? What country are we about to go to war with? What food item is doubling in price? Will we have electricity tomorrow? And the list continues. It makes you want to turn everything off and just not be part of the world.
But we're different. Part of our job in this world is to show others how to face hard times with grace and hope. We know that no matter how bad things get we do not face these times alone. When people see that we can overcome adversity with God's help they will want to know what we have. What we have is a gracious, loving Savior who stands with us. He is a healer, a way maker, a constant friend in times of sorrow.
We don't know when the Lord will return but we are told that we can see and understand the signs of it and know that it is near. As this great day approaches things won't be easy for Christians. Matthew 24:9 says, "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."
In I Peter 3:15 Peter says,
"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:"
This will be so important during trying times. We have a wonderful hope. We need to remember that. If we are as fearful as those in the world then we have nothing to offer.
In Ezekiel 33 God tells Ezekiel he has been made a Watchman. It is his duty to tell those around him of the coming judgement of Israel. Has God asked us to be a Watchman? To warn those we love of what can happen if there is no repentance? We see around us a world that seems to be crumbling right before our eyes.
In II Chronicles 7:14 we are told,
"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
Yes, no news is good news, but today we are surrounded by news - most of it not good. Surely our land needs healing and our sins need forgiving!
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