We Are, But We Are Not



“we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;” 2 Corinthians 4:8-9

As we approach the end of this calendar year (2015) and the beginning of the next (2016), are you intimidated by the prospect ahead? I know that I am. I struggled every day with fear and worry because of how drastically our culture is changing. What has been comfortable is going away and what is coming in its place is a culture that despises God and all things that honor God.

What changes will take place in 2016 and in one year from now, what changes will be be reflecting upon? The forces of wickedness in this world are building and godly wisdom and reason are being shunted aside. What do we as Christians expect? Remembering again that the disciples of Christ, when he was here on the earth and when he was crucified and died though that it was over. Some actually believed that Christ had failed in His mission and that they had wasted about three years of their lives following Him around. Then, suddenly there is the rumor that Christ has risen from the grave. Some had seen him and others had only heard the story. The followers of Jesus had only the Jewish scriptures, there was no "new" testament available yet to guide them. No wonder they were lost. Even today, we can be confused about the life of Christ and His teaching, His purpose, His call to believe and accept His offer of salvation.

Consider the changes that they faced and were going to face as they are appointed to go into all the world.

What is going to happen in our world? What in your life will change as the evil one gains momentum for the moment? The only one who knows the answer to that question is the one who holds our lives in his hand. I do know that we do not need to fear. God has promised and He will keep His promise. God does not keep His promises because he cannot lie. He does not keep His promises against His will. God keeps His promises because it is His will to do so. And it is His will because that is His character – God loves us. Because of His great love for us, he sacrificed His only begotten Son and sent Him to the cross in our place.

These truths are amazing. They are hard to understand but God gives us the grace and faith so that we can believe them. Believing the truth is not really that hard to understand but it often is that hard to do in the face of trials and testing and persecutions. As a human, it is easier to believe what we think we see than what we know but do not see. I know that I am that way. So I continue to press on and return again and again to the Word of God which is the source of truth revealed. “we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;” 2 Corinthians 4:8-9

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