It is true that there is a lot of bad news in the world today, and much of it is an attack on the faith of believers. Radical Islam and atheism is rising and much of the Western church is backsliding, ad culture is rapidly deteriorating.
I am not discouraged, I am encouraged and hopeful in the Lord at the age of 45 when the Lord saved me, I knew the best was yet to come.
I am full of faith and hope because God is ruling and reigning from His throne. There is no fear or anxiety in God’s presence and no trace of worry or concern. The purposes of God will come to pass and He will work out His plan on the earth. Even though His heart grieves because of the sin and suffering, He is the undisputed King of the universe and in His presence, there is fullness of Joy (Psalm 16:11).
Jesus is Lord. The name of Jesus remains the highest name in all of creation and at His name, every knee will now and every tongue will confess (Philippians 2:9-11). If this was the only thing I knew, that Jesus died for my sins, rose from the dead, and ascended into heaven, I would securely rest and be filled with anticipation and expectation.
In the end, God will vindicate His people. I honestly feel sorry for those who fight against God’s purposes, knowing that in the end, they will be the losers. We who love the Lord and choose to serve the Lord will shine while they will fade away into the darkness (Daniel 12:2-3). We should pity them rather than fear them.
Everything Satan and this world mean for evil, God can turn around for good. Romans 8:28 tells us, “Now we know that all things work together for the good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose. Often the very worst things that happen to us become the best things, and that which was intended to destroy us backfires in satan’s face. Stumbling blocks become stepping stones.
God is doing amazing things in the earth today. It is true the people are spreading false religions and cults continue to grow. But for decades not, the greatest spiritual growth has been taking place worldwide in born-again spirit-empowered circles. The harvest continues to be reaped an unprecedented pace, even in countries that despise good, there are tens of thousands being saved every year.
He who began the good work in us will bring it to completion. I have seen the Lord’s faithfulness, and my confidence in His is greater than ever before. My trust in His wisdom and power and goodness. And I know that I am standing strong today because He is the author and finisher of my faith (Hebrews 12:2). I’ve seen Him work miracles, why shouldn’t I have confidence in Him tomorrow?
Revival can and is turning things around. If you do a quick search of Mario Murrilo and His tent crusades. As well as many other evangelicals you will see the harvest is coming. It’s true we have had some very dark periods following the Revolutionary War, colleges were founded on Christian purposes, yet did not have a single professing believer. But awakening came, and awakening can turn things around again.
Political pundits have been wrong before. Many are telling us that the culture wars are over gay marriage, and gender confusion will sweep America. But we were once that the war on abortion was over and that American sentiment against the outlawing of abortion had turned for good. Today pro-abortion advocates are panicking as the pro-life movement continues to grow, especially among the younger generation.
Worldly ways are self-defeating. All the ways of the world -sexual promiscuity, drug and alcohol abuse, abortion, no-fault divorce, homosexual practice, materialism and greed, just to name a few bring a society down, not up. But God’s ways bring life, blessing, and stability. When the dust settles -and it may get very dusty for a while, the righteous will be standing strong.
I have seen God’s past promises to me fulfilled gloriously, and I am confident that the rest of His promises will come to pass as well.
Not one of us can boast about tomorrow (Proverbs 27:1), but we can boast in the Lord, not as a statement of presumption. King David once said, “Adonai, who has delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine” (meaning Goliath) -1 Samuel 17:37).
God has brought me out of a deep depression, kept me alive from malnutrition, my planned overdoses, and numerous vehicle accidents one of which my car slammed into a mountain and I walked away with no injuries, cured me of cancer literally bringing my soul out of the pit. That I would live in Him.
What promises has God made to you personally? And what has He promised to all of us in His Word?
Those who take His promises and rejoice. Those who put their trust in Him will never be ashamed. This is why I am not discouraged in the World today.
From Pity to Praise 