Seems like every day we hear and read about increasing botchery happening all over the world, but even more concerning, in America. I just read an article this morning published by the National Police Association (February 2024 - “No Sacred Place: Worship at Risk”) that shows churches in America are experiencing unprecedented violence and criminal attacks in 2024. We look at the crime statistics and we are often dismayed at the trend. We see the Apostle Paul's predictions for the days preceding Daniel's 70th week becoming more clear. The list causes many to fear and face their future with apprehension— “2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, without gentleness, without love for good, 4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to a form of godliness, but having denied its power. (2 Timothy 3:2-5)

The cure for many of our apprehensions comes when we realize two Truth Matters:
1) If we're not careful, we begin to see things as if they're falling apart; but in reality, all these things are falling into place in preparation for Jesus' second coming. (Matthew 24:3-14)
2) Even more importantly, we believers are in our God's sovereign hands—“because God has chosen you as the first fruits for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth... 15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the instructions which you were taught from us. 16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen them. (2 Thessalonians 2:13-17)

The point is this...we persevere through troubling times because we trust our Lord and Savior. He wins. We are one in Him. He brings us to ultimate glory...we are winners in Him. Being in His hands, Christ Jesus is our confidence.

We persevere through troubling times because the Sovereign, Creator of the universe; the only God who became a man to pay our penalty for our sin by dying on the cross so that we would be with Him for all eternity in heaven; the One who shapes the history of man for His glory; is our God and the One who loves us with an infinite, eternal love. My prayer for me and you is this...Lord, calm our fears. Relieve our apprehensions. Help us to persevere with faith and confidence as we think about Your power, plan, purpose, and Your love for us. Amen.

Walk with the King today and be a blessing.

This one will say, ‘I am Yahweh's'; And this one will call on the name of Yahweh; And this one will write on his hand, ‘Belonging to Yahweh. (Isaiah 44:5)