While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease –Genesis 8:22. Greetings to one and all. As I am writing this, it is the beginning of May and yet in our area it still seems as though spring has not yet quite arrived. There are glimmers of hope that summer surely will come—some of the trees are pushing their leaves and select early flowers have pushed their blossoms up to wave bravely in the cool, damp breezes. Yet, overall, the weather seems to feel much more like the month of March.
This coming week has the promise of warm, dry weather, which should make many area farmers and homeowners happy. We are anticipating a great bevy of activity as gardens and fields are tilled and seeded with this year’s crops. To those who read the Holy Scriptures and who believe the written Word of God, these normal day-to-day activities should be a reminder of God’s promises in the same way as each new sighting of a rainbow.
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 divers places –Matthew 24:6-7.
And there shall be … pestilences … in divers places
In February or March of 2020, COVID-19 was declared a pandemic (a disease that spreads rapidly and affects a large percentage of the population). Now, over two years later, health officials and government leaders are somewhat reticent to publicly declare that the crisis has passed.
Some parts of the world have lifted all regulations regarding COVID-19 such as Denmark and England, while others such as New Zealand are still quite rigid with their ongoing rules and guidelines. And quite recently Chinese officials again locked down certain areas of their country in their efforts to quash a recent outbreak of new infections.
Many, if not most, individuals are tired of it all, ready for it to be over, and anxious to get back to life as normal. Many have lost loved ones. Many have endured financial setbacks and economic loss. Recent data from the World Health Organization (WHO) provides the approximate deaths (both direct and indirect) from COVID-19 to be around 15 million for the first two years of the pandemic.
While recent data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates that the median global GDP dropped by 3.9% from 2019 to 2020, making it the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, creating a global recession that is the deepest since the end of World War 2.
Recently, a brother mentioned to me that “the world is in a mess” and that he has heard realtors, auctioneers, and financial advisors say that the world of finance is in unprecedented waters and that no one knows where, when, or how it will all end.
However, we should not be surprised by this major worldwide struggle. The Scriptures foretell of famine and hunger, pestilence and death, plagues of all varieties, and the list goes on of things that will come upon the earth just prior to the end of time: …for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet –Matthew 24:6.
And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars
In recent years there have been numerous wars and rumors of wars. However, since February 24, 2022 when Russia launched its current full-scale invasion of Ukraine, there have been increased worries voiced by media and politicians about how this seems different. With the many sanctions enacted by the EU and the west, there have been ripple effects causing negative outcomes for many of the world’s economies, with sky-rocketing prices for many items and services being the outcome. Sure, there were high prices before this recent outbreak of war which was a result of the various supply chain problems that were caused by COVID-19 and its ripple effects. But since the sanctions were enacted against Russia the gas and oil prices have risen noticeably which in turn has caused the cost of most goods and services to follow suit.
What about all the what if ’s…? If this happens then “there will be a nuclear war.” If this happens then “it will cause World War 3 to begin.” “The Democrats are taking the U.S. to war with Russia.” These and many more comments are being made in our world today. To me it seems that when countries and individuals …trust in chariots, and some in horses: Psalm 20:7a, then their outcome will be that They are brought down and [are] fallen… –Psalm 20:8a. But if …we will remember the name of the LORD our God –Psalm 20:7b, then …we are risen, and [will] stand upright –Psalm 20:8b.
From my perspective it seems that many in the world have allowed fear to take root in their hearts during the whole COVID-19 ordeal. Now whenever some new “scary” development surfaces in this current Russia/Ukraine conflict and the many issues connected to it, again fear seems to be the prevailing motivator. This gives us a glimpse of what things will be like some day soon when: Men’s hearts [are] failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken –Luke 21:26. Because …those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads … should be tormented five months … and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them –Revelation 9:4-6. Also, there will come a day when …the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, [will hide] themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; And [will say] to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? –Revelation 6:15-17.
The worth of a soul
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? –Matthew 16:24-26.
Recently, this verse came to my mind as I was thinking of a number of situations in our world today—both close to home and abroad.
First, that which is abroad…
I am one of those who enjoys relaxing on the porch of a house, which is located along a major highway, and watching the traffic. I also find it interesting to sit in an airport or bus terminal and observe the masses of people passing by. Many times, I have paused to consider that each one has a soul that will spend all of eternity somewhere! Alive! As I’ve pondered these thoughts, some further thoughts also come. “How many of these people have a personal awareness of eternity?” “Of life after death?” “Or of a God who is alive, sovereign, and holy who will some day require an accounting for all things done in this earthly body?”
How many of us bear a burden for the lost souls around us? I think of the testimony of a vehicle mechanic who told me how he prays and seeks the Lord’s leading about how he can speak into the lives of those who come to his shop. And of his further testimony regarding the various ways that God has led and folks have been pointed to a Living God and a life after death.
For many of us, for me in particular, it takes an effort to remember to stop and smell the roses or to pause and reflect on the beauty of a sunrise. Then it takes a further step to remember the Creator behind these earthly beauties. How much more can we become lulled into the sameness of our everyday lives and tend to forget that each soul we meet will someday stand before God? What if we were the one who God wanted to say a word for Him out of a life that was living for Him to bring His awareness to one who knows not the One, Living, and True God?
Now for that which is close…
This can take on many different situations. It can be those in our family. It can be our neighbors. It can be our more distant relatives. It can be our work associates. Finally, it can be anyone who we interact with in our daily lives.
Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me –Matthew 25:34-40.
One specific thing that I wish to focus on is this growing problem of broken relationships and emotional/mental struggles within the plain communities. I do not wish to pass judgment on anyone, nor do I wish to make anyone feel bad. In fact, one of my strongest concerns regarding these issues is that the church would do everything that it can to take away the stigma or negativity of these struggles. How did Christ relate to those who were in these types of situations? We could get hung up on the details of how Jesus responded. Let’s not allow details to hinder us from “being Christ” to these struggling individuals in our midst.
To bring perspective to how we approach and interact with someone who is struggling, we can ask ourselves several questions that will help. First a question for myself: “How would I appreciate someone responding to me if I was in that specific situation?” Second a question for the other person: “What can I do that would be a help or an encouragement to you as you are going through this difficult experience?”
Too many times, the church doesn’t have time for those who are struggling in their midst, since it is their lot in life and we are too busy to be bothered. Other times, the church doesn’t know how to respond or what to say so they decide it is better to “leave sleeping dogs lie” or that it would be best to not “open that can of worms”.
God designed us in such a way that we need our brothers and sisters. Just consider all the “one-anothering” passages in the Scriptures. Then consider how we can “be Christ” to the struggling among us. Just remember that there may come a time when “the shoe is on the other foot”, so to speak. In other words, someday we may find ourselves in a similar situation wishing that our brothers and sisters would rally around us with love and encouragement in a real way that “helps”.
Resources
It has been a while since we have reminded our readers that we have select resources on a variety of topics to assist churches and individuals as they seek a practical way forward that is pleasing to God. One resource, that is specific on the topic of how to help those in our midst, is an 8 CD set we put together titled “People Helping in the Local Church”. We have received feedback from many individuals and church leaders who have said that they found the information shared in this set to be very helpful in their efforts to understand how to “help” challenging situations in their midst.
Our resources are available free of charge to addresses located within the U.S. However, we are funded solely on the free-will offerings of God’s people, so your donation would be helpful to continue our work. If you wish to receive one or more of these CD sets, please contact our ministry using the contact information listed inside the front cover of this magazine.
Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. – Jude 1:24-25.
