Answers to EP Newspaper ad January 24-30
Does it seem like the world is crumbling?
DISMAYED
The word “dismayed” can mean to be upset, irritated, disturbed, unsettled, and distressed. Are you experiencing any of these emotions as you look out at the current, world situation?
Hurricanes and wildfires wrecking havoc. Wars and rumors of wars. And for some there are concerns over unfavorable political developments in the US as a new president comes to office.
On top of that you or someone you love could be dealing with physical ailments, disease, or sickness. Or perhaps financial hardships or difficult relationships? Is your world crumbling? Does the world around us seem to be falling apart?
How do I feel better?
What does Jesus offer me at a time like this?
What does the Bible say about being dismayed?
When the disciples asked Jesus when the end of the world would come and how would they know, Jesus told them in Matthew 24:6-8…
And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in diverse places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.
In other words, when we see these things take place in an unprecedented way as never before, as we do today, we can know that Jesus is soon to return (Matthew 24:29-30). Jesus predicted the tumultuous social and political climates of our day. As well as the environmental destruction that we see happening.
What does all this mean to us?
It means that we can know where we are on the Biblical, prophetic time clock. We can trust God’s Word.
We can have hope that these difficulties will end and confidence in the soon coming of our Savior, Jesus.
The second coming of Jesus will be a joyous time for those who believe in His name and put their trust in His Word. The suffering and struggles in this world will end and Jesus will take sincere believers to our heavenly home (John 14:1-3).
- But what do I do now?
We may not be able to be in control of everything that is happening in the world – most of it is out of our hands. But we can take everything to God in prayer and commit everything to the One who is Sovereign over all things.
Talking about Jesus, Colossians 1:16-17 says:
For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
This means that even though everything seems out of control, God is still on the throne. In His infinite wisdom He allows events to take place in our world that fulfill His divine purposes even though we may not understand them.
Here is the Key for us today, right now, in our situations:
Through the storms, through the struggles, through the seeming chaos, through the upheaval, and through the pain - God can be present in our hearts and minds and lives. His presence imparts peace, strength, endurance, wisdom, patience, and victory. He has given us everything we need to endure the troubles of this world - the ones that we can change and the ones that we cannot change.
Trust Him.
~
Paul prayed the prayer below for a fellow disciple in Christ and it applies to us today:
For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.
This is really good news! We can be strengthened and filled with patience to endure and divinely sustained as we deal with the hardship of life and filled with the joyfulness of God’s presence and care for us.
This world is not our home, but temporary. For we who believe in Jesus, saved by Him, and surrendered to Him are able to have an eternal inheritance in the kingdom of God.
It is His will to deliver us from the power of darkness, now and eternally when He comes again.
It is my encouragement to you,
To draw close to Jesus,
Study Jesus’ life and words in the Gospels. Learn of Him.
Then start to trust Him with your worries and concerns and life.
Acknowledge and confess your worries and concerns to God.
Surrender them into His control.
Ask for peace from Jesus.
Ask for forgiveness of sin/wrong doing.
Recommit your life to Jesus.
Ask and invite God’s Holy Spirit into your heart and life.
Spend time in prayer, talk to God.
Isaiah 41:10
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34:18
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
John 8:12
"I can do all things through him (Jesus) who strengthens me."
Philippians 4:13