Facing the Future with Deep Apprehension, Gloom, and Foreboding
If you like the sub-title for this article, I got it from a line in an old movie called ‘Sullivan’s Travel’s’. I highly recommend the movie. If you haven’t seen it you need to find it and watch it. You need a sense of humor to face the future. A Christian who has both a sense of humor and hope is truly blessed. (Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness. ‘On Christ the Solid Rock I ‘Stand’. http://www.hymntime.com/tch/htm/m/y/h/myhopeis.htm )
Before we consider all the terrible things facing America and the world let’s first remind ourselves of Psalms 2 – which says (paraphrased) that the heathens and the kings of the earth are setting themselves against God, but God will laugh at them and set them in derision.’
Psalm 37 and Psalm 59 say something similar as well. When things look dark and we are facing the future with ‘deep apprehension, gloom, and foreboding, we can always encourage ourselves in the word of God.
Church goers in general are ignorant of what the Bible says. They have no idea of the importance of doctrine. They don’t know theology. They generally don’t even understand why there are different denominations, and they certainly don’t understand the theological differences that make up the different denominations. They are led by feelings instead of God’s word. They have no leaders to warn them of their stupidity. Unfortunately, where there are Godly leaders, many people do not want to hear what they have to say. These people go to a church with a preacher who pleases them but doesn’t really tell the truth. It is an altogether sad situation.
The future of America has no effect on the future of Christians. I love my country. I pray for God to bless America and that America will return to God Almighty. But my first citizenship is in heaven with God. My first allegiance is to Jesus Christ. I try to do what I can that will have even a small impact for good on America, but as much as I love my country I am thankful that it is not my eternal home.
Christians need to dis-attach themselves from the things of this world to some extent, even the blessing of being born an American. We are to be thankful for all our blessings, but to understand how temporary they actually are. We are to love God, love our families, love the church, and love our country. That puts our earthly citizenship in 4th place. Duty to God, duty to family, and duty to our church/evangelism/missionary effort are all above our country.
That is what Christians are to do in these uncertain times. We are to continue to do the things we KNOW we are supposed to do. We are to trust God to lead us through the uncertain times ahead. We are to help preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ in all the world.
Our world may be changing rapidly and terribly.
Our job description is still the same.
Set your face like a flint. You will not be ashamed.
I just watched ‘Captain America’ with my grandson. I know it is fiction. In case you haven’t watched it (and why would you watch it unless you have a fantastic grandson who wants you to watch it with him) Captain America is a normal guy who gets super strength through some impossible scientific experiment. He doesn’t have spider webs shooting out of his wrists like Spider Man; he is just super strong and has recuperative powers 4 times faster than normal.
Captain America saves the day by fighting evil ones who also have unusual powers.
All this reminded me that there are beings with super powers who are in a continual state of war. We have a Biblical example of this concerning Elisha the Prophet of God. Elisha and his servant were in a city under siege by a fearsome enemy. The servant was afraid. 2 Kings 6:15-17 tells us:
15. And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?
16. And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.17. And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.
Things have not changed today. We don’t see all the fighting going on around us. They that be with us are more than they that be with them (the enemy). Remarkable help and deliverance is available to God’s children.
The story of Captain America began in World War 2. That war was filled with real hero’s fighting the evil of Nazism. The war between good and evil will not end until time itself comes to an end. In the mean time, there are many (usually unwanted) opportunities for heroes of the faith to please God. I think many of those heroes/heroines will be people of all ages from all the ages who simply did their duty to God in trying circumstances.
Trying circumstances are coming for all of us in one way or another. When they come to you, you will face them in a manner their either pleases God or pleases His adversary the devil. As we face every day, whether it seems good or evil, we need to continually hide in the Word of God. Remember verses that comfort you personally. A favorite of mine is Galatian 6:7-10 which tells us:
7. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
8. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.9. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
10. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
So, among the turmoil and uncertainty of the world today, we have a firm foundation on which to stand. Things of the world change with every breeze that changes the direction of a weather vane, but our God does not change. No matter what the earthly circumstances may be, God Almighty does not change.
A very fitting hymn for troubled times, whether personally or nationally, is:
‘How Firm a Foundation’.
How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!What more can He say than to you He hath said,
You, who unto Jesus for refuge have fled?
In every condition, in sickness, in health;
In poverty’s vale, or abounding in wealth;At home and abroad, on the land, on the sea,
As thy days may demand, shall thy strength ever be.
Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid;I’ll strengthen and help thee, and cause thee to stand
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.
When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of woe shall not thee overflow;
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.
When through fiery trials thy pathways shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.
Even down to old age all My people shall prove
My sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love;And when hoary hairs shall their temples adorn,
Like lambs they shall still in My bosom be borne.
The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.
Barbara Henderson
You are invited to visit my Amazon author page.
http://www.amazon.com/Barbara-Henderson/e/B007YWIYFUI have three books available on Kindle:
‘The Broad Way’ (fiction)
‘Oh Worship the King’ (fiction)
‘Christian Encouragement and Self-help 2012 (article collection)
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