“But Jesus replied, “My Father is always working, and so am I.” – John 5:17
I wish we would all spend more time in the scriptures. I wish that we were looking to God for answers and understanding instead of looking to social media and the news. I wish we were, not because I believe that everything on those two platforms are completely bad – but rather because I don’t believe that they are where real truth can be found.
The media shouts at me, “We are falling apart!” “Look at all the evil around you!” “Look at all the destruction!” They seem to proclaim that there is little good and their messages are persuasive, but they are often lacking in unbiased – even honest – truth.
If all I do is follow blindly to what I am being exposed to electronically, I am missing out on what has always been and continues to be true. God exists. God loves mankind. Mankind loves sin. Sin comes with consequences. Sin consumes mankind unless mankind seeks the LORD and His statutes. God created a way for us to be saved, but He will not force it upon us. If we accept the gift – the way- to be obedient, we must live a life that looks different than the sin life we knew before. We must die to self, and live for Christ. We must love God and in order to love God, we must love mankind. If we choose to live without accepting the way, we will continue in the generational spiral of sin.
I’ve heard folks saying that we are living in the end times. I have heard people saying they know we are near the end because of all the evil and lack of caring amongst people. While I will admit, I believe that only God knows when the end times are coming (Jesus tells us this in the gospels), I know that from a historical perspective history is only repeating itself and it’s wickedness. Biblically speaking, and from a skewed broadcasting of “journalism,” I would say that we are not living in a Sodom and Gomorrah situation. Yes, evil exists. Yes, disgusting things are happening all around our nation (and in the world) right now. Yes, it breaks the heart of God. And I believe it angers Him. But over and over God destroys when there are no righteous ones to be found.
Lest you bristle over the word “righteous,” I am not talking about people who pretend to have their act together or who come across as holier than thou, I am referring to those who are seeking to live righteously. Those who are seeking to live in accordance to God’s mandates. Those who are seeking God’s leading and attempting to follow it daily.
I live in a part of the states that prides itself on atheistic views. I live in a community in which the majority do not worship the LORD. And yet, in my community, there are thousands upon thousands who do. Let that sink in. God was willing to save Sodom and Gomorrah if there were even a few handfuls of righteous people living in them. It’s not that we don’t have godly men and women here, we do! They just don’t seem to be what is getting our focus. They aren’t selling newspaper subscriptions, or filling the pages of social media, or consuming the headlines on our TV’s. And unfortunately, because they are not, we are tempted to believe they have disappeared altogether. We lose hope. Fear creeps in.
Why fear? People of God, I ask you, why fear? Have we forgotten who we are? Have we forgotten whose we are? We may feel isolated and alone in our current situation, but we are not.
How do I know? I was reminded of it this morning, from the words of Jesus: “My Father is always working, and so am I.”
In the midst of Covid-19: God is working, and so is my Jesus.
In the midst of economic crisis: God is working, and so is my Jesus.
In the midst of race wars and rioting: God is working, and so is my Jesus.
In the midst of division: God is working, and so is my Jesus.
Just because society isn’t proclaiming the truth doesn’t mean that the truth doesn’t exist. God is always working, and so is Jesus. Always. Yesterday, today, and every day to come. That information is something you can count on. It comes from the LORD of all Creation and the Father of Truth.
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1 “The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer.” Psalm 18:2 “Say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, He will come with vengeance; with divine retribution, He will come to save you.” Isaiah 35:4 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27
Remember who you are and whose you are and stand firm in the truth.
Blessings!