The World We Live In

We live in the days that immediately precede the return of Jesus to this earth. Many people are edgy and anxious about the future-troubles abound. Talk to the people around you, and you will find that, no matter what the media have to say, they can’t believe that more banks will not fail. They aren’t confident that the person elected president will keep promises. They aren’t sure that they will have a job tomorrow. In many cases they may be afraid to walk down a city street for fear of being mugged. Fear is the reality in our world today; even men of great prestige and political power are fearful. They might have to shoulder tremendous responsibilities involving the affairs of nations, they might have to appear calm and decisive whatever important crisis they face, but they all share the fear that is found across the world. We can’t go away and escape the trouble. We have to continue to live in a world that is not what it should be. If we are looking for personal comfort and pleasure, the outlook is indeed grim.

Although bad political, economic and moral conditions are all around us, we need not despair. We who trust in God have a peace that the world cannot understand. The Christian has a confidence that God will not fail him in troubled times. We can trust under the canopy of God’s grace even though the storm rages outside. We can cling to the assurance that God is not dead. He still intervenes in the affairs of man. It is interesting to note that the world situation today was prophesied: “Men’s hearts shall fail them for fear as they look at those things which are coming on the earth” (Luke 21:26). We need not be alarmed if we trust in God’s promise, as Jesus also says: “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (v32).

We can’t earn a place in that kingdom by our own good works, nor can we buy one. It is ours because God has promised it to those who love and serve Him. Jude tells us that we must “earnestly contend for the faith that was once delivered unto the saints” (v3). Now for us to ‘earnestly contend’ for something means that it must be of great value to us.

Bro Blessing Nwigwe (Mbaise, Nigeria)