FROM THE PASTOR’S HEART OP-ED BY DR. ROBERT KENNEDY
One can hardly turn on the news these days without being served up a list of political divisions, social unrest, economic dislocations, ecological disasters, poisoned water in some places, food insecurity that is threatening the lives of millions, massive fires, millions of deaths from the pandemic, and a host of other problems that are allowing the newscasters to say, “we are living in a time of trouble.”
I have even heard some saying that it is “apocalyptic,” as if they were quoting the title of the movie “Apocalypse Now” or describing the complete final destruction of the world, as described in the biblical book of Revelation.
Whatever is being referenced, it must be clear that the name “troubled times” is not just contemporary. The prophet Daniel stated that, “And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time.” (12:1). The prophet Jeremiah spoke of a time he called “Jacob’s trouble” (cf. Jeremiah 30:7).
Also noted by the Gospel writers is a troubling time that would proceed the Second Advent of Christ. The Gospel writers clearly state that we should know the time by the number of wars, earthquakes, famines, upheavals in nature, and other accompanying crises. (cf. Mathew 24, and in Luke 13, and Mark 13).
I do not know how you are reading at present, but I saw a few lines in the Foreword of a book that struck me deeply. They state: “Never has the present been subjected to such a tectonic shock between its future and its past, the consequences of which seem difficult to foresee and can sometimes be distressing.”
Another author writing more than a hundred years ago, states this:
“We are on the very verge of the time of trouble, and perplexities that are scarcely dreamed of are before us. A power from beneath is leading men to war against Heaven. Human beings have confederated with satanic agencies to make void the law of God. The inhabitants of the world are fast becoming as the inhabitants of the world in Noah’s day, who were swept away by the Flood, and as the inhabitants of Sodom, who were consumed by fire from heaven. The powers of Satan are at work to keep minds diverted from eternal realities. The enemy has arranged matters to suit his own purposes. Worldly business, sports, the fashions of the day – these things occupy the minds of men and women. Amusements and unprofitable reading spoil the judgment. In the broad road that leads to eternal ruin, there walks a long procession. The world, filled with violence, reveling, and drunkenness, is converting the church. The law of God, the divine standard of righteousness, is declared to be of no effect.” {CCh 64.3}
I do not think we need to say more to clarify that “a time of trouble” is upon us or that “the time of trouble” is very near to us. I do not reference the subject to make anyone more anxious than they are or add to the stresses that are creating mental disease, but my intention is to help us prepare so that we are not overwhelmed. So let me ask explicitly, “How are we to live in these troubled times?”
Let me offer the responses that, in my estimation, can help anyone reading this reflection to set up a battle plan for troubled times. If you do not feel you are facing what others might be facing as their time of trouble, you will not need what I am about to state. However, if you live long enough, you will come to a personal moment in your life when you are coming out of something or going into something, you will come to a time of trouble. So here are at least five things that I suggest for a battle plan.
1. Strengthen your faith for your time of trouble
An unknown author says that “Faith doesn’t always take you out of the problem; Faith takes you through the problem. Faith doesn’t always take away the pain; Faith gives you the ability to handle the pain. Faith doesn’t always take you out of the storm; Faith calms you amid the storm.”
God’s Word is filled with promises that teach us about having faith in God during hard times. Psalm 27:12 is a perfect faith builder “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:12)
2. Love in troubled times
Build up your love relationship with God and those around you for troubled times. The prophet Isaiah reminds us that there is power in God’s love. He says, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.” (Isaiah 43:2).
3. Hope in troubled times
The apostle Paul tells us that hope does not make us embarrassed. On the contrary, when we are in trouble, “We can rejoice… when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.” (Romans 5:3, 4). God is the God of hope.
4. Courage in troubled times
The apostle Paul also reminds us that in troubled times, if we put ourselves in God’s hand, he will sustain us and give us courage. Hear his words, “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38, 39).
5. Praying through troubled times
Many people, even so-called atheists and agnostics, learn that they cannot trust their strength when in trouble but must depend on a Higher Power. They might know God personally, but they call out to someone above themselves. It is not a good thing to wait until you are in trouble, to call out, but it is quite evident that God in his mercy hears even such prayer. When the prophet Jonah was in trouble, he cried out to God, and God heard him. That is why he says, “When my soul fainted within me I remembered the LORD: and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple” (Jonah 2:7 KJV).
Yes, troubled times are here, and we need to find resources to help us get through. But let us not just look for short-term solutions but our eternal salvation in God.
