Rumors of Wars

 If you're a student of both history and the Scriptures, you may be having a hard time narrowing down the precise reason for your current unease. You have a deep appreciation of how this story goes. It's nothing new, nothing special, except perhaps for the fact that the places where light can freely shine are shrinking in the world. Turns out, the Bible was right all along when it said that true freedom only works in the context of godly principles. You can plainly see the suffering that lies ahead, not just for you, but for everyone. Maybe even more acutely for your children and grandchildren, which only makes the unease worse. It's as obvious as an orange sign on the side of the highway that people around you seem to speed right past without seeing: "Suffering ahead. Be prepared to merge." 

You may feel lonely or confused as to why so many of your peers seem to be missing it. You may be scoffed at, belittled, accused of overreacting by the same people you've worshiped with in church. "This isn't the end times," you'll hear, as if you're a fool for even looking for the signs. "No one's persecuting you." "Nothing dangerous is lurking at your door." 

History and the Bible disagree with them. They both proclaim that earthly safety and peace are as fragile as morning mist, quickly fading faster than most people expect. Billions upon billions of people throughout time would say, get ready for suffering. Get ready to be caught up in a war you didn't ask for. Get ready for Bad Things to happen. For grief and tragedy. You are not exempt from humanity's inherent suffering, even if for a time, you built the illusion that you were. It's been nice being comforted by an every day life filled with convenience and safety, hasn't it? The softness of an existence propped up by wifi and lattes, vacations and trips to Target. Birthday parties and weddings. Careers and education. Did you think those things were eternal? Did you think the purpose of your life was to drink wine and watch Netflix? That the material of your countertops was the hardest decision you'd ever make? Did you think heaven was now, even though countless generations scream their suffering into our history books, warning you that evil is always just a breath away?

How arrogant you have been. How shortsighted. How blatantly stupid and self-absorbed.

Tumultuous events exist to narrow your focus, refine what is really important, burn away silly notions that cloud your thinking. They serve to wake you up from your convenience-drunken stupor. It isn't anxiety to recognize this is happening. It isn't craziness. It's a warning bell that tolls for everyone. It's saying that, even if this isn't The End, the final chapters have already begun.

On the other hand, while recognizing all these things tempts you to despair, you also know another truth. You know there's nothing like misery to make hope shine like stars in a dark sky. You know that eventually, this horrid, depressing, barely survivable reality will meet its end. You know that Satan's days are numbered, that victory is already at hand and secured. You know that you are an ambassador for the Triumphant One, that you are more than a conqueror, and that there is unimaginable power in your story that maybe you've never really had a chance to uncover before. You know that no matter what today looks like, you are promised eternal joy.

Insecurity often masks itself in overconfidence. For thousands of years of human history, Satan has tromped around, causing havoc, slaughtering, and weaving unimaginable tragedies. He laces them together with these periods of false security, so that his plan stings all the more when it comes together. He incites the hearts of mankind to violence, to hatred, to fear, to bloodshed, to arrogance, to stubborn refusal of truth. But he does all this, not because he thinks he'll ultimately win, but because he knows he ultimately won't. He knows his time is short. He knows that his head is already crushed under Jesus' foot. He knows he's not eternal, not omniscient, not omnipresent, not God. So, while he's got time, he's going to make things as bloody and miserable as possible, because if he's going down, he wants to take as many of us down with him as he can. 

Beloved, do not fear the enemy! Do not assign him more power than he is due. He is far more fearful of the Jesus in you than you are of him. Do you not see his intimidation, his toddler-like tantrums that stomp through mankind, all because he knows he is ultimately powerless? He has no victory, no claim to any lasting throne. All his attempts to silence the truth will fail and no matter how many wars he starts, how many innocent lives he takes, HE IS NOTHING.

Rise up, warrior of Christ. Put on the full armor of God, even if you are the only one around you doing it. Even if others aren't prepared, you will be. Fasten your helmet of salvation. Cinch in your belt of truth. Put on the breastplate of righteousness. Slip into your steel toed Gospel boots. Raise your shield of faith. Sharpen your Spirit sword. And then activate this armor with prayer. 

"...so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm."

"Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere."

The erosion of our country isn't the pinnacle of mankind's suffering. It's one piece in a vast chain of events. What Satan means for evil, God uses for good. While fearful hearts can only comprehend the potential misery and chains, faithful hearts see a victorious God storming the castle of darkness. 

This isn't fairy tales. This isn't a distant Sunday School topic. This isn't blowing things out of proportion. This is real. This has been happening all along. You have been part of the story even if it felt like you were living in a time of silence, like the faithful Jews during those four hundred years after the prophets stopped speaking. They, and you, must hope in the Lord, even if you don't quite know what will happen. And just like how God smashed through the silence of that four hundred years with the clamor of Jesus Christ, the WORD, he has a plan for us now. You'll know God's hand when you see it. Watch and be amazed.

And do not fear. The battle belongs to the Lord.