My Focus? August 4, 2023

I shared this on Sunday, but feel the need to share it here too:  

There is a lot of evil in the world.  The dark cloud seems to be growing and a lot of us are paying a lot of attention.  We don’t want to be caught flat-footed; unaware.  So we study the signs, we stare evil in the face.  We need be sure we will know how to counter it.  Yet, that’s not exactly what the Bible says.  I’m supposed to be thinking about what is good!  I’m supposed to be fixing my eyes on the Author and Finisher of my faith.  I’m supposed to literally be “denying ungodliness and worldly lusts; living soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking  for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ!

Sure, evil is out there.  Cain slew Abel and there is a world full of Cain’s today – their judgment is certain; we’ve NOTHING to fear! Amen?  It only only seems like God is delayed bringing it to an end, consider this blurb from “Our Daily Bread:”

Scientists at the Goddard Space Flight Center report that one of the largest stars in our galaxy is about to self-destruct. Eta Carinae, which has a mass 100 times greater than that of our sun, is giving signs that its life is about over. Researchers say that it could become a supernova — a blazing, exploding star — within the next 10,000 years. What was especially interesting about the “Science News” report was the statement that since light from the star takes 9,000 years to reach the earth, the actual explosion could have already taken place.

This striking fact reminds me of the nature of biblical prophecy. For example, the predictions found in Revelation 8 (The Seventh Seal)  are often written in the past tense. This is done because even though the prophet is writing of a future event, he has already “seen” it. Also, in the mind of God it’s as if the events have already happened. Even though Christians differ on the interpretation of today’s Scripture, we can definitely say that God’s judgment against sin is certain. The outpouring of His anger against those who continually resist Him is so sure that it has been written about in the past tense. This should cause us to reflect with the apostle Peter, who wrote so appropriately, “Seeing, then, that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy living and godliness?” (2 Peter 3:11). As Christians, we know what’s ahead for this world, and that knowledge should keep us living close to God. 

And out of that closeness should flow, peace, joy, and a passion to share our faith!

Pastor Scott