| Our troubled world Sherwin Scott Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. Galatians 1:3-5 (ESV) As individuals we may be fortunate to live in a beautiful, relatively prosperous and peaceful area of our troubled world. For many people that is not the case. They may be affected by natural disasters, warfare, crime, disease or political unrest. A fairly recent example occurred in Thailand, a country well known for its peace and beauty, when in October 2022 there was a terrible atrocity against young children with at least 23 innocent children murdered by a deranged man. Sadly this type of tragedy is happening more and more frequently. Ukraine is now in the grips of warfare with Russia, a nuclear armed country; North Korea is sabre rattling by firing long range missiles over Japanese territory; there are widespread, life threatening floods that many believe are due to climate change, and President Biden has warned that the world is now closer to a nuclear war than it has been for the last 60 years! So we cannot delude ourselves that we are living in a good world. As the header scripture above clearly shows, we are living in ‘the present evil age’, which began with the fall of Adam and continues to this day. The good and encouraging news is that ‘the present evil age’ is temporary, it is passing away: ‘And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.’ (1 John 2:17). God has an amazing future and plans for humanity. We are going to experience life as it was meant to be lived, in the new heavens and the new earth. That future and plans that God has for us are far advanced and will one day be a reality! “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind.” (Isaiah 65:17). We have God’s promise that this will be the reality. No more wars, crime, natural disasters, or worldwide diseases. God’s promises are absolutely certain to be fulfilled, as Jesus said: “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33); ‘For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him [Christ] that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.’ (2 Corinthians 1:20). Thank God that a better world is on its way. Those who are believers in Jesus Christ will continue to participate with him in bringing peace and happiness to mankind. For Jesus is the King of kings, the Lord of lords and the Prince of peace. Prayer Father in heaven, thank you that this present evil age in which we live is passing away and we can wait for the fullness of your kingdom and the return of our Saviour Jesus with hope. Please enable those who belong to Christ, who form the body of Christ, the Christian church, to be ready and prepared for this time. In Jesus’s name, Amen. |
Our troubled world
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