July 7, 2020 – Click here to listen
I have been thinking lately about how disgusted I am with the behavior of many of those in this nation. It is almost nauseating to watch or read any form of media. Their world of paid clicks and television ratings drives them to focus on whatever disgusting thing is trending or bias they might have. So we read and view the degeneracy, degradation, and prejudice of societies all over the world. As of late here in the USA we are served up 24/7 examples of the hate and anger of various races.
One might ask why isn’t there anything positive about humanity or our country ever reported? Well politicians want power and need votes, corporations want fatter bottom lines, celebrities and sports teams want to sell more product and appease – Everyone wants something that will help themselves.
My son and his family were recently visiting our home, and some terrible story came on the news and he suddenly got a panicked expression on his face and quickly shooed his children into another room. He didn’t want them to hear anything negative. Many of us have similar feelings about watching the news. It is just depressing and sickening to see or hear it, so we just tune out. I do it as well and remind myself of an ostrich sticking its head in the sand to hide from the truth.
Isaiah said in 40:28 – Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
I remember a Billy Graham quote, “Our society strives to avoid any possibility of offending anyone – except God”. Imagine what He sees very second of every day. So we think we are offended, what about Him?
He also said: “Comfort and prosperity have never enriched the world as much as adversity has. Adversity and crisis motivate people to turn to God. If we have sunk down to the bottom of the pit and there is nowhere to look but up, we can finally begin to realize that only the supernatural love of God through changed lives can solve the problems that we face in our world. It is then that we begin to learn the value of adversity.
Adversity – No one likes it or wants to face it, but we all must confront it. Self-centered indulgence, pride and a lack of shame over sin are now emblems of the American lifestyle. We must deal with it by becoming more like Christ and focusing on Him and not the world.
We simply must do our best and if a man or woman does their best, then what else is there? Accept the challenges so that you can feel the exhilaration of victory. Follow Christ to the ends of the earth and beyond. I’ve read the last page of the Bible and am convinced that victory will ultimately be ours provided we keep our faith, (the victory that has overcome this world) and focus on Jesus through troubled waters and glassy calm seas . . . Persevere my friends and rest in the Lord.
Joshua 1:9 – Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.