What Is God Teaching Us Today?

 

Our history is full of periods of trouble: wars, plagues, famines, and injustice. I don’t know about you, but it has affected, nay suffocated my normal optimism.

The prophets in the Old Testament have gone through these same things. Jeremiah was known as the weeping prophet because of Israel’s abandonment of God, resulting in wars, plagues, famines, and injustices.

We wonder if God has forgotten us, or is punishing us, or is teaching us some lesson. Three short years ago, my life was much better. There was more peace in the world, the economy was strong, and I felt our votes counted.

Today, like Jeremiah, many are weeping due to wars, government oppression, increased inflation, and lack of control over their lives.

But there is good news!

Psalm 78:7 says, “That they should put their confidence in God and not forget the works of God, But keep His commandments.” (NASB95) Written by Asaph, a prominent Levite singer in King David’s court. He reports what God wants His people to remember, even though they have been unfaithful.

In Philippians 3:3, the Apostle Paul writes, “For we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God, and Glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh.” This world and its problems are not our final destination.

Finally, Jesus has words of absolute comfort for our distress. In John 16:33, He says, “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” (emphasis mine)

The truth of Jesus’ words can shape our attitudes about this world. We can go forward, regardless of the circumstances in which we find ourselves, in joy and expectation, knowing all things will work together for good, for those who love God.

How can you be a blessing to others today, knowing that Jesus has “overcome the world?”

Soli Deo Gloria

 

 

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

 Why Pray? When you pray, do you ever feel like God is not listening? That God doesn’t care? That God is punishing you by remaining quiet? Me, too. I mean, how many times have we asked for the same thing over and over, only to hear or see nothing concerning it? Even when it isn’t anything huge—like moving a mountain or world peace, it still doesn’t seem to get addressed by God. In Matthew 7:7-8, Jesus says, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” (NASB95) In David Guzik’s commentary on Matthew 7, he says, there is “A threefold description of prayer, ask, seek, and knock. Progressively more intense. Persistent prayer glorifies God, expresses dependance upon Him, and aligns our heart more with His.” I don’t know about you, but when I revisit my prayer’s, I rarely glorify God or express my dependency on Him. I just want what I...
Read more

Focus On Eternal Things

  Imagine going through the day thinking more about your heavenly home and less about your earthly abode. For most, our earthly abode contains all the things we have accumulated and love. Favorite chair, couch, bed, table, and knickknacks. Maybe you are fortunate enough to have a backyard with trees, flowers, and a vegetable garden. This abode can also contain friends, people we enjoy. I have found that earthly things can distract me from my spiritual journey. How about you? Who doesn’t like the pleasures of this earthly life? Especially friends to share these things with. But our life isn’t about this life. In 2 Corinthians 14:8 the Apostle Paul says, “So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (CSB) Although we know this, it is difficult to consider it. The “seen” is here and now, not so much with the “unseen.” Our motivation can come from 1 John 2:16-17, “For all that is in the world, the lu...
Read more