By Toni Ford
Many of us would agree that the times we are living in are very unsettling and unusual. Just this past week, earthquakes with a magnitude that have not been seen in years are shaking Turkey and Syria. Even Israel has experienced three earthquakes in the past two days. According to the news, the combined death tolls in Turkey and Syria have now reached over 17,000, with 380,000 people without a roof and over 8,500 collapsed buildings. I also read of an unprecedented flood taking place in New Zealand. We continue to hear about the war in Ukraine and Russia and rumors of war between other nations. All these events are currently taking place in our world. Yet, in a matter of days or weeks, the world will get back to minding its business.
As I was driving earlier this week and pondering all these thoughts, I cried out to God and asked Him to help me not be just another person that goes back to business as usual but that I would be about the Father’s business, not the world’s or my own business but His business, more now than ever before.
Several Scriptures came to mind over the past week and I share these not for fear’s sake but as a reminder of what God’s Word says. The good news is that He tells us what the future will hold, while at the same time providing hope for those who believe in Him.
Matthew 24: 6-8. “And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but do not panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end will not follow immediately. Nation will go to war against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. But all this is only the first of the birth pains with more to come.” This Scripture was written thousands of years ago as a preparation for what is to come as we get nearer to the Lord’s final return to earth. Could it be that we are currently living in the times which these verses are describing?
Matthew 24:37-39. “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up until the time Noah entered his boat. People did not realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.” This also describes how most of us live today. Even after all that happened this past week in Turkey and Syria, we go about our business as usual. The Lord tells us that in the last days, people will be so busy with their own lives that they are not paying attention to the warning signs He is trying to give us. Oh, how I pray that I would not be like one living in Noah’s day, unaware of the signs and the times.
Romans 13: 10-14. “Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law. This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So, remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes and put on the shining armor of right living.” Here we find our instructions on how to live in these days; to love others and to not live according to the world and its standards but instead live righteous lives clothing ourselves with His armor. The Lord tells us to wake up and pay attention to the times, for our salvation is near.
Titus 2:12-13. “And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness and devotion to God while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.” Once again, not only are we given instructions on how to live in these days and times; we are also told where to focus and where to look. That is on the hope of Christ, knowing that soon we will be in eternity with Him! This is our eternal hope and reward. We are only passing through this earth, but one day we will be in heaven with our Lord and Savior for all eternity.
Lord, thank You that You are our ultimate hope. Today we keep our eyes on You and not the things of this world. While we are here on earth, may we not be wrapped up in the world. Help us realize we still have a mission, which is to share Your love with others and point them to You.
May we carry Your presence everywhere we go, and may we be aware of You and Your signs to us each day! Lord, we especially pray for all those impacted by the earthquakes, the floods and the war. Be ever so near to those people and keep us mindful to pray for them daily. We pray that You provide for them in supernatural ways.
Thank you for all of our blessings, oh, Lord, and may we never forget the ways You have blessed us.
If you would like me to join you in prayer, please e-mail me at tonif77@gmail.com. I would love to pray for you!