2020 has been full of the unexpected and usual! On Tuesday, a friend stated, “We are voting for riots or socialism this year.” I can’t let the weekly blog go by this particular week without encouraging myself and anyone else who may be considering the outcome of our contentious political races with some amount of fear and trepidation. Everything—the pillars of our great nation and all the world’s economies and belief systems—is being shaken.
Ever since I was a teenager, I’ve read the Bible from cover to cover by beginning in Genesis in January and reading a few chapters daily until I finish with Revelation in November or December. I am currently reading Revelation. The descriptions of the end of the age and the current state of our world tempt me to be afraid, but as I read the Bible, I remember the words of Jesus: “Do not let your heart be troubled….” (John 14:1) and “I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world….” (Matthew 28:20) He also says, “And when these things (signs of the endtime) begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” (Luke 21:28) He constantly reminds me to focus on Him and “look up!”
In fact, today I was meditating on Revelation 20:11-15 (which talks about the book of life and Judgement Day), and I glanced up to see the sunrise through the kitchen windows. The sky was a deep turquoise blue with brilliant dots of salmon colored clouds, which highlighted a piercingly bright orange sun peaking through the few remaining leaves of the trees on the far side of the street. Immediately, I started flipping through Psalms for the verse that begins with “When I consider thy heavens….” Along the way, the following verses that are highlighted in my Bible caught my eye:
Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee. (Psalm 143:8)
Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word. (Psalm 119:114)
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God: in him will I trust. (Psalm 91:1-2)
He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence: I shall not be greatly moved. (Psalm 62:1)
The Lord is my light and my salvation: whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life: of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1)
Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. (Psalm 20:7)
And finally, I remembered it was in Psalm 8, verses 3 and 4:
When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that thou visitest him?
We are seeing biblical prophecies coming to pass with the advent of Arab peace talks in Israel. It seems foolish to discredit this incredible moment in history. Be encouraged today and know that “the purpose of the Lord will stand” no matter what the news of the day suggests!
