Ever wonder what is happening in the world? Why are things so crazy and getting so violent? That takes us back to “GOD made man upright, but THEY sought out many schemes” (Ecclesiastes 7:29). When we do what is right in our own eyes we run into troubles because “O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walks to direct his (own) steps” (Jeremiah 10:23).
If you think things are bad now, this is nothing compared to what we are told will occur around the time the Antichrist rises and his 7-year treaty with the Jews is signed and the 7-year Tribulation (called Jacob’s trouble -Jeremiah 30:7) begins (Daniel 9:27, Revelation 6).
So how can find hope and direction?
GOD the FATHER so loved the world that HE gave HIS only Begotten (unique/ not made but eternal) SON- JESUS that whosoever believes in HIM will have eternal life (John 3:16). And to as many as received HIM (JESUS) to them HE gave the power to become the sons of GOD, even to them that believe on HIS name (John 1:12).
To those GOD foreknew (would believe in JESUS) GOD decreed (predestined) to be conformed to the image of HIS (only Begotten) SON, that HE (JESUS) might be the 1st of many brethren (Romans 8:29).
Notice that GOD sent HIS ONLY begotten SON so that HE might have MANY sons. Amazing truth isn’t it? That does not mean we who believe in JESUS will be gods but that we are true children of GOD, sharing HIS image and HIS nature.
Hebrews 2:10 tells us that it was fitting for HIM (GOD the FATHER), for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons (us who believe in JESUS-1 John 3:1-2) unto glory, to make the captain (Leader/ JESUS) of their salvation perfect through sufferings.”
In other words, to lead us (who believe in JESUS and have become children of GOD-John 1:12) into maturity and conformed to HIS image, JESUS had to suffer. And did HE ever suffer! Though eternal Creator of the universes, JESUS voluntarily took on a human body (Philippians 2:5-8), suffered poverty, indignities, ridicule, humiliation and then shame (Hebrews 12:2) and indescribably awful pain as HE was whipped and then hung on the cross and bled so that we might be washed from our sins by HIS blood (Revelation 1:5), saved and reconciled to GOD (2 Corinthians 5:19-20) with the right to be called the children of GOD.
However, I’d like to pinpoint just one of the things I find absolutely, remarkably amazing. As JESUS lived on earth in such a way as to LEAD us to know how to live (2 Corinthians 3:18, Hebrews 12:2-3) we are told over and over all JESUS did and said was in compliance to what GOD the FATHER told HIM to do and say (John 8:28). HE never did anything on HIS own.
That is what JESUS meant when HE said “man shall not live by bread alone (physical nourishment) but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of GOD” (Matthew 4:4).
And what Solomon meant when the HOLY SPIRIT led him to pen, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and LEAN not on your own understanding. In all your ways (in everything) acknowledge (talk to) HIM and HE will direct your path (you will know something you need to do). Be not wise in your own eyes, fear the LORD and depart from evil” (Proverbs 3:5-7).
In other words, we need to do what GOD says. And HE gave us the Bible to tell us what that is. “All scripture is given by inspiration of GOD, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (1 Timothy 3:16). By using the great and precious promises found in HIS book we can escape the corruption that is in the world through lusts and actually participate in the divine nature/ the very nature of GOD (2 Peter 1:4).
Yesterday I was struck with GOD’s instructions in how we should live in this crazy world as I read Psalm 37. In it GOD tells us NOT TO FRET 3 times, to TRUST GOD 3 times and to WAIT FOR GOD 3 times. Since repetition in the Bible always indicates emphasis, those 3 words sound like instructions to me.
DON’T FRET at all the evil prospering around the world (Philippians 4:6-7), you can only do that by TRUSTING GOD is in control, is with you (Hebrews 13:5) and leading you in how you should go (Psalm 25:12), in that way WAIT for JESUS to come catch you (who believe in JESUS) away before everything breaks loose when the 7-year Tribulation begins.
“What man is he that fears the Lord? him shall GOD teach in the way that he shall choose” (Psalm 25:12).
Hugs,
Sharon
wakemyear 