Articles
Disaster Strikes!
Tornados, earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, fires, murders, mistreatment of others in unspeakable ways, death, sickness, suffering, poverty, hunger, thirst, and the list goes on of the difficulties that one may observe in everyday life. Just watch the evening news. While there are many wonderful things concerning God that one may learn by just paying attention, these terrible events are also able to teach us some great lessons.
This earth is not a suitable eternal home. A place of sin and corruption is not what God has in mind for us. “Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed–in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory.’” ( 1 Corinthians 15:51-54 ) We must realize that there is a very real sense in which this earth is disposable. It will not last forever. It will be destroyed. “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?” ( 2 Peter 3:10-12 )
We need to set our aim on a better place. Jesus promised to His troubled disciples a better place. “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” ( John 14:1-3 ) The scriptures promise a new dwelling place. In heaven there won’t be those awful things that have to be endured here. “Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.’” ( Revelation 21:1-4 )
The only true peace can come in Christ. Placing our trust, confidence, and faith in God and his plan for the faithful is the only path of peace. Only by putting the worries of life in God’s hand can we have inexplicable peace. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” ( Philippians 4:6-7 ) There is a saying, “No Jesus, No Peace … Know Jesus, Know Peace”. While very simply stated, this is a great truth. Without Christ, and the hope He offers, how miserable life would be. When you have nowhere else to turn, Christ is there. Remember the words of his invitation, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” ( Matthew 11:28-30 ) He offers hope to the hopeless.
I do not mean these thoughts to be trite platitudes to those who are experiencing heart wrenching suffering. The horrors we hear about bring tears to our eyes and grief to our hearts. Those who are hurting need to be prayed for and relieved in every way we can. This is simply a reminder that whatever we suffer in this life will be overwhelmed by joy, after this life is over, if we are prepared to receive the joys the Lord is preparing. “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” ( Romans 8:18 ) We must remember that being ready to meet God is how we can find a suitable eternal home, a better place, and have peace here and in eternity. “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.” ( Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 )
If you are not a Christian:
- Hear God’s Word: Romans 10:17
- Believe on Christ: Mark 16:16
- Repent of Your Sins: Acts 2:38
- Confess Christ: Matthew 10:32
- Be Baptized Into Christ: Acts 22:16
- Live Faithfully Until Death: Revelation 2:10
If you are already a christian have fallen back into sin:
- Repent: Acts 8:22
- Confess Sin: 1 John 1:9
- Pray: 1 John 2:1
