Beyond this World

“Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.” Psalms 2:1-3

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” Psalms 23:4

Near the end of the Boston Marathon we saw a heinous crime, two bombs exploding, killing 3 and injuring many more.  There were poison-laced letters intended for the president and legislators on Capitol Hill, shootouts with police, threats of nuclear warheads, explosions rocking a whole town, and these were just the national headlines.  These are our constant reminders that this world is not our eternal home.  They also provide us with a dark backdrop that we can see the great light of the gospel. 

There are times we ask the question, “Why is the world so messed up?”  A simple answer is, sin (i.e. self) is an awful master.  Once the serpent convinced Adam and Eve to sin, it opened up the mythical “Pandora’s Box” of unintended consequences.    Our desires for personal gain lead to sin and harm, left unchecked.    Sin is the source of all illness, evil, and death.  The law was set so that we would see the sins, and turn to God for a way, the Messiah. 

“How can we keep going against all the evil?” - ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.’ Phil 4:13

“How do I answer, ‘Why would God allow this’?” – Do not worry, it will be given to you what to say in that day,  Luke 12:12

“I am scared, and people will ridicule me if I say I am a Christian.”

“For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry , Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:. . . For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Romans 8:15-16,18”

There is a hope that we possess, knowing that the future will far outweigh the present struggles against unbelievers, evil, and fear.  We must continue to be a nation of priests and missionaries.  Though we get scared and concerned like everyone else, we must take the opportunity to show people the way to Christ.  For it pleased God to give us the responsibility to go and tell others, and allow Him to work the miracles of a changed life, as only he can.  Then we will look to the future for the glory of the Kingdom of God, hopefully increased by a new believer.