A TROUBLED GENERATION
There Is No Peace
Mark 13:7-8 7But when you hear of wars and rumours of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet. 8For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows.
If we take a look at the countries in the world today, is there any place among the five continents of the world that can remain peaceful?
In fact, there are many countries right now that are suffering from civil wars and internal conflicts. When a leader is ousted from power, a new leader will be appointed; and this process will just repeat itself with different leaders each time.
Demonstrations are commonly used as a means for the people’s political fights. These demonstrations are carried out in a large-scale manner and some may even involve sacrificing one’s life in their fights. This is a very sad situation because people often cry ‘Peace, peace!’ in their demonstrations but there is no peace.
Committing Ungodliness
There are many people in this world who worship idols and blindly believe in superstitions. They do not walk in righteousness but oppress the good instead. They are arrogant, boastful of their abilities and have no fear of God.
All idol worshippers will eventually be condemned. There are also those who claim they worship God but do not understand the truth or honour the Holy Spirit. In fact, they are still blinded in their hearts and have yet to see the morning light.
Jer. 2:13 "For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, And hewn themselves cisterns--broken cisterns that can hold no water.
Heb. 3:12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God;
Col. 2:8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
2Tim. 2:16 But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.
God Searches The Heart
In this world, the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. We ought to know that our righteous God searches our hearts, and He will answer those who desire and seek Him.
Jer. 17:9-10 9"The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? 10I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.
Isa. 33:15-16 15He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly, He who despises the gain of oppressions, Who gestures with his hands, refusing bribes, Who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed, And shuts his eyes from seeing evil: 16He will dwell on high; His place of defense will be the fortress of rocks; Bread will be given him, His water will be sure.
Jer. 29:11-13 11For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart
Seek Righteousness, Seek The Lord
Do we wish for a peaceful world?
Do we wish for a prosperous country?
Do we wish for a stable and peaceful life?
Anyone with a healthy body and sound mind will surely wish for the above but not everyone will be able to achieve them.
Zeph. 2:3 Seek the Lord, all you meek of the earth, Who have upheld His justice. Seek righteousness, seek humility. It may be that you will be hidden In the day of the Lord's anger.
Isa. 32:15 Until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high, And the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, And the fruitful field is counted as a forest.
Isa. 32:17-18 17The work of righteousness will be peace, And the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever. 18My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation, In secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places,
Heb. 3:13-15 13but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, 15while it is said: "Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion."
Only those who know how to humbly seek the protection of God, rely on His power and abide by His statutes will be able to overcome anxiety in their hearts and escape from the sufferings of the world.
Eternal Joy And Peace
John 16:22 Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.
John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
The Lord Jesus Christ has said that in Him we will find eternal joy and true peace.
Conclusion
Today, we are living in a troubled world that is devoid of peace. It is filled with power struggles among countries and people who do not walk in the path of righteousness.
Hence, we ought to seek God for His protection and rely on His power because it is only through Him that we can achieve everlasting joy and peace.
(The Holy Spirit Times – 20.07.1965)
The ACTS 2024 May/June