Pastor's Ponderings, March 12, 2018

An Enemy Talks But God Has Spoken

In the March 8, 2018 issue of Yahoo News, Rob Waugh wrote an article entitled Vladimir Putin says he will destroy the world with nuclear weapons if Russia is threatened. The article indicated, “…This would be a global catastrophe for humanity but I, as a citizen of Russia and the head of the Russian state would like to ask you this – what do we need a world for if there is no Russia in it?”

The Baby Boomers remember the October 1962 Cuban Missile Crises where Soviet premier Nikita Khrushchev and President John F. Kennedy narrowly avoided a full-scale nuclear war.   As terrifying as these international confrontations are, they pale in comparison to the very real American attack of dropping nuclear bombs on Japan on August 6, 1945, where seventy thousand people were killed in less than a minute. Many more were killed and wounded from subsequent bombings.

But the Bible says that those who love God should not be troubled by wars, rumors of war, or catastrophes over the world (Matthew 24:6-7).  In spite of mankind’s inhumanity to man and the willingness of people to objectify, demean, and then destroy others without compunction, kindness, or concern, God says that we must not allow our hearts to be troubled (John 14:27).  He is looking out for us.  King David wrote that our God, our helper, does not take naps or sleep and will not let our feet slip (Psalm 121:2, 3, 5).  God promised that we may see destruction all around us, but He will be with us (Psalm 91:7, 9-11).  This is not to say that nothing will ever hurt us, but if God is for us, He is more than the whole world against us (Romans 8:31).

Evil people are plotting all over the world to seek advantages for themselves and to confuse, confound, control, and conquer others.  We must remind ourselves that God is still in charge and the enemy can do no more than God allows them to do. Let us also remember that God has spoken His words of consolation, comfort, and care for us and He has the last word.

Matthew 24:6-7
New International Version (NIV)

6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.
7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.

John 14:27
New International Version (NIV)

27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Psalm 121:2, 3, 5
New International Version (NIV)

2 My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber;

5 The Lord watches over you—the Lord is your shade at your right hand;

Psalm 91:7, 9-11
New International Version (NIV)

7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.

9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling,

10 no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent.

11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;

Romans 8:31
New International Version (NIV)

31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?