Who’s In Charge Here?
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Posted On :
Apr-24-2013
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Article Word Count :
919
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With all the crisises going on in the world today, it can seem like God is no where to be found. But what is the truth? Is God in control?
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If the mainstream media is to be believed, each of us can find something to worry about, no matter what our perspective may be.
We are warned of economic crises – yes, plural – world-wide. Some say that multiple currencies will crash, probably taking down the entire worldwide system – possibly never to recover. Other fears extend far beyond mere monetary difficulties. There is widespread obsession with “the end of the world”. Supposed “Doomsdays” keep coming and passing – always followed by “news” of yet another that is (supposedly) only a short time in the future.
The Threat of Nature
Any minute now, a previously unknown meteor or comet may strike the planet, annihilating all life and leaving nothing but a smoking husk – or will it be global warming which slowly stews us in our own juices, while melting the icecaps and causing the seas to rise dramatically, drowning those who aren’t broiled? And while that process develops, violent weather threatens to make our last days more miserable!
Nuclear Threat
But never mind all of that – several rogue nations either already have or seem poised to have nuclear weapons – and boast of their intention to use them. Nature will have to hurry, or “the bad guys” may do it first!
The Threat of Terrorism
We’re told that every person who owns a firearm is a potential terrorist – and there are millions who own them. To defend against its own citizens (?) every branch of the US government has been stockpiling weapons and ammunition. Even those branches that by traditional standards would have no conceivable need for them! At the same time, there is a concerted effort to guarantee that no person who obeys the law will be allowed to buy or own firearms.
We could go on “ad infinitum”, listing possible reasons for each of us to be excavating an underground shelter, or stockpiling food and water, weapons and ammunition, or buying all of the gold and silver that we can find, or...(you fill the blank). Have we touched on your favorite phobia yet?
Is There Any Hope?
What hope is there for civilization? Is humanity doomed to destruction? What is the proper Christian response to such fears and phobias? All of these fears – and proposed “solutions” – raise a related question: Who’s in charge here?
The Lord Jesus knew that these events were coming, and actually offered guidance for those who trust in Him. Both Matthew’s and Mark’s gospels quote the same statement:
7 But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet.8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows. (Mark 13:7-8 NKJV)
It’s been nearly 2,000 years since our Lord made that statement, and we can certainly see that He knew whereof He spoke! Notice that He didn’t ONLY speak of warfare – He specifically mentioned earthquakes, famines, and “troubles”. But don’t lose sight of His words in verse 7…
“Do not be troubled”.
To rephrase in a simple modern colloquialism: “Don’t Worry About It.”
Let’s be honest: when events of that magnitude occur, it’s not easy to just “not worry about it.” The only way that such an attitude makes any sense at all is if we actually believe – notice, we didn’t say wish, but believe – that God really is in control.
God In In Control
That’s the good news of this ugly scenario. None of this comes as a surprise to the Lord. He’s not sitting somewhere “up there”, wringing His hands and worrying about how it will all work out. In (Isaiah 46:9-10 NKJV) the Lord declares through the prophet,
9 Remember the former things of old,
For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like Me,
10 Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things that are not yet done,
Saying, 'My counsel shall stand,
And I will do all My pleasure,'
Did you catch that part about God’s “declaring the end from the beginning”? In case you have any doubt about His meaning, the Lord has already ordained the entire series of events, long before the process even began. Nothing that happens is a surprise to God, nor does it in any way alter His pre-ordained plans.
How can the Christian be safe during these frightening times? There is only one way. As a “contemporary Christian song” of a generation ago said, “Put your hand in the hand of the Man who stilled the waters...”. When you walk with the Lord, you will see frightening events, but He will lead you safely through whatever happens.
There’s no doubt that the psalmist understood this concept, when He wrote:
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." (Psalm 23:4 KJV)
On the other hand, if you try to “do it yourself”, you are setting yourself and your loved ones up for disaster.
So, who’s in charge here? Maybe the more important questions is, “Who are you going to trust?”
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Article Source :
http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Who’s In Charge Here?_262327.aspx
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Author Resource :
Philip Herr has been active in ministry since 1972, beginning in bi-vocational ministry, later moving to full time mission director status. Philip starts each day with a free Christian devotional, be it a book of Revelation Bible study, Esther Bible study or some other book of the Bible.
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Keywords :
Free christian devotionals, Esther Bible study, Book of Revelation Bible study,
Category :
Society
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Society
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