PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 24:15-25
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“See, I have told you ahead of time.” (Matthew 24:25)
Jesus is warning them about the coming crisis in Jerusalem (70 AD).
But his words apply to all historic crises, past and present and future.
As always, behind these events the deceiver is trying to deceive believers.
Is it possible… in my own experience the answer is yes.
My mind and heart have been unsettled by recent crises in the world and church.
I am still hanging on to Jesus, but my spirit is definitely under attack.
Are you experiencing the same – the negative or dark feelings and fears?
This warning from Jesus is reminding me that I need to be on guard for this.
He is warning us too, in our own context, of the deceivers plans.
I should not be surprised that I am struggling to stay focused and motivated.
Nor should I be surprised this time of testing is happening – Jesus warned us.
I am not sure how the disciples then prepared themselves, but how about me?
How will I prepare for the deceiver’s attempts to discourage me and defeat me?
Now is the time to spend more and better time with Jesus – he will help me!
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, now more than ever I need to strengthen my connection to you, so that I can discern the deceiver’s lies, and refuse them! Thanks for the warning!
The temple is defiled. I have to be careful not to allow myself to be defiled as well. Flee Jesus says – avoid the temptations that will cause me to fall. There was terrible persecution of believers after Jesus rose -believers were tortured and murdered for their faith and so also today. Lord Help me to be faithful – yet you have protection and grace for the elect – you pull them out at the right time. I pray especially for those persecuted right now because they believe in you Lord Jesus. Bless the elect who are in places of distress! Help me not forget and take these warnings seriously – even as I enjoy a comfortable life! Help me deal with the anxiety in my own soul as I think of others who suffer so much – it is so discouraging and makes my comfort – uncomfortable!
Recently the Holy Spirit gave me a new understanding of God’s mercy. His mercy is so all encompassing! My life was compartmentalized. I could accept God loving me, loving the world, but then if He loves so much, why all the war, and sin and abuse and liars! I would run from thinking about it because I could not make sense of it.
I came to accept that God is in all the good and all the bad. It is ok that I cannot understand how this works. It makes no sense. But God is great and good and just and longs for everyone He created to choose a relationship with Him. That is all true. Yet there is all the horror, suffering, selfishness, and cruelty in the world and my own sin. His mercy means that I can bring all that, every part of this life, to Him. I can accept that He is in every part. It does not matter that I don’t understand.
When I accepted that the good and bad are all real in my life and that His mercy surrounds it all, I became whole. I could quit avoiding what I could not stand to think about. I am stopping carrying what is not mine to carry.
His mercy means I can trust Him. I can rest in Him. I am learning to say here Lord, I know You are in this, what do You want me to do with it? Sometimes it is just letting go.. Other times it is prayer words, doing the work with Him. For personal things He gives healing with no more shame or embarrassment.
A long complicated answer to your question.
What God is saying to me is the same as to you; trust Him, and rest in His mercy.
Please Lord, help me to do exactly that. Thank-You!
I love the ‘long complicated’, it is actually simple in its depth. I desperately hang on to the goodness of God, especially in light of all the ugliness and brutality of our world. I don’t know how it all fits together, but letting go of God’s goodness will not make it better, it will only make it worse. Good and bad are all real, but his mercy surrounds it all! Love it, thanks!
Faith over fear.
In times like these, where do I go? Where is truth these days? Who do I trust?
My security is in the Lord, the Ruler and Creator of all. He is the answer. He has told His own that all this would happen. I need to find my shelter and security under His wings. Prayerfully I go forward this in His name putting my hand into His. That’s comfort. He will continue to lead and give His children if I but trust and obey today and always.
1 He leadeth me: O blessed thought!
O words with heavenly comfort fraught!
Whate’er I do, where’er I be,
still ’tis God’s hand that leadeth me.
Refrain:
He leadeth me, he leadeth me;
by his own hand he leadeth me:
his faithful follower I would be,
for by his hand he leadeth me.
2 Sometimes mid scenes of deepest gloom,
sometimes where Eden’s flowers bloom,
by waters calm, o’er troubled sea,
still ’tis God’s hand that leadeth me. Refrain