Decide now so you will be ready then…
Today is a difficult day. I love the holiday season that we are in, but my desire to experience the peace and joy of Christmas is hampered by… well… reality.
A government that is less than inspiring of confidence.
Friends, very sick and scared family members.
A culture spinning out of control.
Raising teenage boys… do I need to elaborate?
As I was reading my Bible in a quiet this morning I hit a passage that did not seem to help, ever been there?
Here’s how it went down in my head:
Luke 21:10 Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.
“Wow… looks like a page from the teleprompter at CNN. Well, even though its going to get hinky, at least I know it is in His plan and in His hand.”
12 But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake.
“Say what? The world on fire isn’t bad enough? Before the main act we have to endure the warm up band “Beat on the Believers.” Can’t we just skip that part and get on to the pestilences and earthquakes… I mean if they are coming anyway, let’s just skip the persecution bit, please.”
13 This will be your opportunity to bear witness.
“Oh… an opportunity? I guess I forget that You can use anything Lord. When I suffer my reflex response is to get away, but You are saying I should see what I can do for You while I’m in it. I don’t know if I can. I don’t know if I’ll be able…”
14 Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, 15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.
“Huh… ok. So, to be ready in the heat of the moment, I have to have this stuff settled before the fire starts. I understand Lord… help me to get ready.”
God has told us in His word… make up your mind right now, so in the chaos of the moment you won’t have to make decisions. Your mind has already been made.
- Before the marriage gets hard, decide you are in a covenant and you will not give up. Stick with it.
- Before you’re chastised for believing, decide that persecution is a part of it and don’t be surprised. Expect it.
- Before the hardship enters your private world, decide what you believe about God, who He is and how you will believe in Him. Then carry on.
- Before this culture expects to bend to it’s norms, surrender to it’s will, or acquiesce to it’s standards, decide what you believe about God’s word. Stand on it.
It’s no doubt that this world is a difficult and scary place. There is every indication that it’s not going to get any better anytime soon. But, God gives us this grace… He says, “Get ready.”
Decide now God is good, His word is true, Jesus is Lord, faith is worth the fight, His Spirit is in you, life is hard, but we’ve read the end of the book and He will win!
Despite it all and because of Jesus… Merry Christmas.