The moral decay plaguing our world began a long time ago but it was so slow, gradual and well hidden that only very discerning and wise individuals noticed it. Today, it (the moral decay) is in your face and rapid, thanks to misguided fools and their quest to eradicate God and exalt pleasure at any cost.
God is omniscient and He knew things would get bad (and He knows it’ll get worse).
The Holy Spirit uses God’s Word to speak to us in different ways at different times, never contradicting or confusing in the process. When I read Psalm 11 recently, God spoke to me about how many Christians might be challenged by how the godless are trampling on the moral foundation based He has established. Turn with me to Psalm 11:1-3.
1 In the Lord I take refuge;
How can you say to my soul, “Flee as a bird to your mountain;2 For, behold, the wicked bend the bow,
They make ready their arrow upon the string
To shoot in darkness at the upright in heart.3 If the foundations are destroyed,
What can the righteous do?”Psalm 11:1-3
We know the Bible tells us that the LORD is our refuge but it seems like we can’t do nothing but run! The godless have persecuted us and continue to wage war against the followers of Christ and when it seems like the ground we’re standing on is collapsing, what are we Christians to do?
If the first 3 verse of Psalm 11 summarised the problem, our God summarised the solution in Psalm 11:4-7.
4 The Lord is in His holy temple; the Lord’s throne is in heaven;
His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men.5 The Lord tests the righteous and the wicked,
And the one who loves violence His soul hates.6 Upon the wicked He will rain snares;
Fire and brimstone and burning wind will be the portion of their cup.7 For the Lord is righteous, He loves righteousness;
The upright will behold His face.Psalm 11:4-7
No matter what is going on down here, NOTHING changes the fact that the LORD our God is still the Ruler of all creation! He already knows everything and He already knows those responsible for what’s happened/is happening. He knows those who are His and those who have rejected Him. He will deal with the wicked people and He will look after those who are clothed in His righteousness, the righteousness that is ours in Christ Jesus and Him alone!
You see, for us Christians, rather than getting worried, worked up and losing hope because of the moral decay in progress, the LORD our God wants us to stand firm and be confident in Christ and His finished work. We can only do this if we rely on the Holy Spirit and allow Him to work in us and then work through us. Think about it: Jesus loves us, His Spirit is in us and we have His Word! What more do we need?
I close with these words of our Lord Jesus.
Behold, an hour is coming, and has already come, for you to be scattered, each to his own home, and to leave Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
John 16:32-33
Jesus told the disciples that they would abandon Him and they did.
We are His disciples today. Are we going to abandon Him too because things are getting hard OR are we going to be at peace in Him and take courage because we know He’s already overcome the world?
We have a choice. I know I have made mine already. What about you?
Thank Sri 🙂