Monday, April 17, 2017

Pastor's Ponderings, April 17, 2017

Our Comfort Is In God

In the June 30, 2012 issue of EndTime Ministries, Irvin Baxter, in the article entitled, 2 Billion to Die in World War 3 --When? wrote,  “In 1914, World War I broke out resulting in the death of 8.2 million human beings! Twenty short years later, the world was plunged into World War II…This time-52 million!” However, according to the article, there is a coming event that the Bible says will dwarf these numbers.  One third of mankind will be killed (Revelation 9:15) which would be over 2.5 billion people. According to Worldometers, the current population of the world in 2017 is 7.5 billion.

Obviously this can be terrifying and many are concerned. Google searches for “World War 3” and “Trump War” have hit an all time high.  However, those who love God can thank Him because the Bible says He always gives us the victory (2 Corinthians 2:14). We do not have to worry about what most people are worried about because we have the right to declare that the Lord is our guide and He will comfort us even when we are challenged (Psalm 23:4).  This is not to say that loving God will always protect you from suffering, poverty, or other dire circumstances, but He promises to never leave our side in spite of what is going on around us (Hebrews 13:5).

We can find a lot of comfort in the Bible from the verses in the 91st Psalm that declares we can find safety in Him and will not have to fear what is going on in the world (Psalm 91:4-6).  Whenever anyone shares their fear of the future, remind them to read the 91st Psalm. Moreover, they can let His peace rule their hearts (Philippians 4:7). Also, let them know that God is faithful to His word and He has blessings and comfort for all those who love and obey Him.

Revelation 9:15
New International Version (NIV)
15 And the four angels who had been kept ready for this very hour and day and month and year were released to kill a third of mankind.

2 Corinthians 2:14
King James Version (KJV)
14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.

Psalm 23:4
New International Version (NIV)
4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Hebrews 13:5
New International Version (NIV)
5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

Psalm 91:4-6
New International Version (NIV)
4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.

Philippians 4:7
New International Version (NIV)
7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.



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