Proverbs 26:21 A quarrelsome person starts fights as easily as hot embers light charcoal or fire lights wood.
The small talk that I’m hearing with neighbours, workmates, and acquaintances is that something in society is going to break and the feeling is ominous. Many are terrified that some kind of revolution for a lack of a better word is going to break forth and things are going to get ugly. Some say that world events cannot go on the way they are because nothing seems to feel right and the pressures of life are overwhelming. The events over the last few years have left people with unsettled emotions, trust issues, and frayed nerves that are churning in their souls while creating an uncertain doomsday vibe they cannot explain except to say they are feeling fearful. Many seem paralyzed to do anything about the angst they are going through and are not sure what to do because they don’t know what they are afraid of. It’s just a feeling of pending disaster they cannot shake.
I hear what people are saying and it makes me think of this Bible verse, Luke 21:26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. The apprehension they are feeling is like…. they are watching it all burn, but are not sure if they should try and put out the fire because they cannot focus on the exact reason everything is burning. It’s as if they are looking through an opaque dirty glass with nothing clear to be seen and therefore, becoming incapacitated at making decisions. People want to scream and cry for some kind of deliverance, but delivered from what? There is a sense of wretchedness that is settling within their psyche that they cannot explain. Rom. 7:24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?
I do not believe the sky is falling and damnable doom is upon us all. The way I see it, there has always been a foreboding feeling of unease because the earth is not a stable place and can be dangerous as history has demonstrated. I think that for the first time, over the last few years, the world population has gone through major difficulties together. Multiple hardships that have been experienced simultaneously on a global scale, have caused worldwide chatter and fear to be expressed concerning pandemics, wars, recessions, shortages and national bankruptcies that are happening all at once. This has caused numerous alarms to be set off in people’s lives throughout the world. Even the World Wars were fought and relatively contained in Europe and the South Pacific. But what the nations have gone through over the last few years has made us realize how small this planet is and everyone can be affected at the same time by global events. Then, within milliseconds, the bad news reached every corner of the world on every imaginable communication device reinforcing the fear being felt.
We who have a relationship with God need to double down in bringing peace to every situation possible because we are the peacemakers on this planet. Matt. 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. The Lord encourages us not to be driven by these feelings of hopelessness. Jesus explained that when we start seeing these troubles on earth, to take a different approach and shout for joy because we are not victims of circumstance, but rather, we are more than conquerors. Why are some Christians burrowing down into foxholes with those who live in fear? We have the Prince of Peace living in our hearts, and we need to demonstrate His peace as we live our lives in this precarious world. James 3:18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
The Lord is not saying to laugh off these problems as if there is nothing to be concerned about, but is saying we can go through these times with His grace and guidance. Our faith in Christ is a powerful weapon that overcomes fear. Those who are alone and without God must deal with all that the world throws at them. The world is full of Godless people who create and cause quarrels setting the world on fire through hate and prejudice Prov. 26:21 A quarrelsome person starts fights as easily as hot embers light charcoal or fire lights wood. We, who are in Christ, are wearing shoes that bring peace wherever we walk and do not have to stand there watching it all burn. Eph. 6:15 By fitting your feet with the preparation that comes from the good news of peace.
Because of our beautiful feet marching in peacefulness, we can go forward with goodwill and reconciliation in every area of life that we walk in. Rom. 10:15b That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!” As the people of the world watch it all burn we can walk through the fires of destruction and quell the flames that are tormenting the people with fear. Those of us who walk with Jesus can be assured that we will not burn. Isa. 43:2b When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you. Do not let the events taking place throughout the world steal your peace. Rest in the salvation our Lord has given us and walk in the power of His peace. Psalm 122:8 For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, “Peace be within you.” Amen!
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