2 Chronicles 15:5-6 And in those times there was no peace to him that went out, nor to him that came in, but great vexations were upon all the inhabitants of the countries. And nation was destroyed of nation, and city of city: for God did vex them with adversity.
Oh Friends, doesn’t that sound familiar? Doesn’t it paint a glaring picture of our current times? There’s no peace to him that goes out or comes in. The streets are filled with crime. Ordinary citizens are afraid to walk during the day time, much less the night. Your house, which was once your castle strong, impregnable fortress is no longer your safe harbour. It’s now beset by thugs and thieves through home invasions, drive by shootings and vehicles careening into it. Then there’s widespread fear of terrorists engaged in wanton, senseless killings that solve nothing, only invites violent retaliation. For ‘great vexations were upon all the inhabitants of the countries.’ Yes Friends, severe turmoil is currently engulfing a large part of our world. Fear is stalking the land. Now why did that negative stuff happen to the Israelites eh? Because ‘for a long season Israel hath been without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law,’ (vs.3) Oh people, we’re in the same situation now! The teaching of and belief in the one true God, Jehovah, is sadly on the decline in too many places. There are not enough strong, sincere prophets, priests or teachers to lead the way, and though we are mired in laws, we’ve become a more lawless society. If laws don’t serve our purpose, we disobey them with impunity. ‘And nation was destroyed of nation, and city of city.’ Ah Friends, it’s easier to count the nations not embroiled in some sort of strife, either internal or external, because so many are. Death, destruction, oppression, ‘sufferation’ is the order of the day; either through man’s activities or the increasingly severe natural disasters recently plaguing us. It’s a most gruesome and unhappy planet we inhabit. Not all of us experience the severe ravages, though we hear of and/or see them in the news media, but in some way, we all suffer the fallout from them. Can all this be happening ‘for God did vex them all with adversity?’ It’s quite possible. But when Israel woke up, ‘when they in their trouble did turn unto the Lord God of Israel, and sought him, he was found of them.’ (vs.4) Oh Friends, doesn’t that sound like the smart thing for us to do right here and now; turn to the the Lord God Jehovah? But can it be turned around? For Jesus warned of all these happenings in Matthew 24; ‘false prophets, wars and rumours of wars, nations rising against nations, famines, earthquakes, pestilence.’ Unfortunately, He also said that those were only the beginning of sorrowful times, and all that stuff must happen before the end comes, so not to worry. And though it’s difficult under the prevailing circumstances, we’ve got to put our shoulders to the wheel and keep spreading the word. ‘Because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.’ (Mat.24:12) That the truth Friends. Jesus knew of which he spoke. We’ve become an indifferent, hardhearted lot. But here’s an even greater truth from Him: ‘But he that shall endure to the end, the same shall be saved.’ (Mat.24:13) Please listen to Him. Much LOVE!…to achieve salvation…one must endure the rigours of life…to the very end…
Oh Friends, doesn’t that sound familiar? Doesn’t it paint a glaring picture of our current times? There’s no peace to him that goes out or comes in. The streets are filled with crime. Ordinary citizens are afraid to walk during the day time, much less the night. Your house, which was once your castle strong, impregnable fortress is no longer your safe harbour. It’s now beset by thugs and thieves through home invasions, drive by shootings and vehicles careening into it. Then there’s widespread fear of terrorists engaged in wanton, senseless killings that solve nothing, only invites violent retaliation. For ‘great vexations were upon all the inhabitants of the countries.’ Yes Friends, severe turmoil is currently engulfing a large part of our world. Fear is stalking the land. Now why did that negative stuff happen to the Israelites eh? Because ‘for a long season Israel hath been without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law,’ (vs.3) Oh people, we’re in the same situation now! The teaching of and belief in the one true God, Jehovah, is sadly on the decline in too many places. There are not enough strong, sincere prophets, priests or teachers to lead the way, and though we are mired in laws, we’ve become a more lawless society. If laws don’t serve our purpose, we disobey them with impunity. ‘And nation was destroyed of nation, and city of city.’ Ah Friends, it’s easier to count the nations not embroiled in some sort of strife, either internal or external, because so many are. Death, destruction, oppression, ‘sufferation’ is the order of the day; either through man’s activities or the increasingly severe natural disasters recently plaguing us. It’s a most gruesome and unhappy planet we inhabit. Not all of us experience the severe ravages, though we hear of and/or see them in the news media, but in some way, we all suffer the fallout from them. Can all this be happening ‘for God did vex them all with adversity?’ It’s quite possible. But when Israel woke up, ‘when they in their trouble did turn unto the Lord God of Israel, and sought him, he was found of them.’ (vs.4) Oh Friends, doesn’t that sound like the smart thing for us to do right here and now; turn to the the Lord God Jehovah? But can it be turned around? For Jesus warned of all these happenings in Matthew 24; ‘false prophets, wars and rumours of wars, nations rising against nations, famines, earthquakes, pestilence.’ Unfortunately, He also said that those were only the beginning of sorrowful times, and all that stuff must happen before the end comes, so not to worry. And though it’s difficult under the prevailing circumstances, we’ve got to put our shoulders to the wheel and keep spreading the word. ‘Because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.’ (Mat.24:12) That the truth Friends. Jesus knew of which he spoke. We’ve become an indifferent, hardhearted lot. But here’s an even greater truth from Him: ‘But he that shall endure to the end, the same shall be saved.’ (Mat.24:13) Please listen to Him. Much LOVE!…to achieve salvation…one must endure the rigours of life…to the very end…
SCRIP-BITS 