Trouble in Our Future?

By: Steve Huston

Being neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet, I can’t tell anyone what the future holds. I do know, however, Who holds the future, for which I am eternally grateful. The other thing I know is that God is sovereign today and will continue to be so in the future from everlasting to everlasting. This doesn’t mean we are to sit back and idly twiddle our thumbs for whatever may come; we are encouraged to understand the times and to know what to do regarding them. We are to watch, pray, and to work while it is yet “day,” for “the night cometh, when no man can work.” The first step to understanding is to know the Word of God and to be informed as to what is happening around us.

A few days ago, I was looking at the newsfeed of Japan’s national news station, NHK, which would be the equivalent to the more widely known BBC (Britain’s national news source). I was a little surprised, as I glanced through the headlines, at how several of them could possibly interrelate with each other on the world scene. Let me share just the headlines with you:

Zelenskyy visiting US; Biden to announce new military support (in its war against Russia) 

Russia’s Medvedev meets China’s Xi in Beijing 

Putin says Russia to make new Sarmat ICBMs combat-ready soon (ICBM stands for InterContinental Ballistic Missile)

Add to these headlines the story of China’s hypersonic missile which took America by surprise several months back, the unrest China is causing elsewhere (like Taiwan), the idea that we have a sitting president who is likely “a CCP controlled asset,” plus the unpreparedness of our own military, the weaknesses of our electric grid, the fact that the only seeming bipartisanship that takes place is when it’s to America’s harm, and one cannot help but recognize that America and Americans are in trouble on an epoch scale. (Aside from that, with the forecast being what it is, there could be many in the Midwest who may find trouble knocking on their doors.)

For the Christian, it’s an immense blessing to know that Psalm 46 is firmly in place in our Bibles. If you need a refresher on this refreshing chapter, it starts like this: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.” The chapter goes on to assure us that God is even in control during natural disasters and wars, reminding us that “the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.” As with so many portions of Scripture, we are given a solemn command to follow. In the midst of turmoil and strife, we are to recognize God’s sovereignty and see His work, even in desolation. We are called to “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.”

Dear Reader, regardless of whatever may come, it is vital that we go into this season, and every season, being prepared, and becoming more so, physically, emotionally, and, most particularly, spiritually. This means knowing truth and recognizing that truth is ofttimes messy, uncomfortable, and challenging. Also, we must proclaim truth, particularly the truth of Jesus Christ – born to die that we might live. I invite you to view this short piece from New Saint Andrews College that displays, in part, what I mean by these things.

With all that is going on we may be tempted to think, “Merry Christmas???” “Peace on Earth, good will to men???” The answers: Only if we keep looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. Only if we will keep our minds stayed on the one true God: our help in ages past and a very present help in trouble.

I urge you to spend some time prayerfully, meditatively, reading through Psalm 46. Then, share it with others.

 

To view this article in your browser, Click Here

For more information, articles and newsletters, please check out our website at https://americandecency.org/

You can support ADA financially by visiting: https://give.cornerstone.cc/americandecency

 

---