A Time of Trouble 2020

“And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.”  (Dan. 12:1-3)

It certainly does appear that we are in this time of trouble right now, doesn’t it? The year 2020 has certainly been a year of upheaval and change. All of the foundations of our society have been shaken and the future seems uncertain. I have heard many people say that things will never be the same as they were before. A few weeks ago, I was walking down a busy street on the west side of Vancouver and noticed that most of the people were wearing masks and walking along the street without looking at anyone. I had a strange feeling of being in a different world, where we were like zombies moving along without thinking. What has happened to us? Our Israel nations were once the productive and thriving nations that most people admired. Now we have fallen into a pit and don’t seem to be able to get ourselves out. We have abandoned our God and we are now suffering for it. “And these are the words that the LORD spake concerning Israel and concerning Judah. For thus saith the LORD; We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace. Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child? wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness? Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble, but he shall be saved out of it.” (Jer. 30:4-7). Who will be saved out of it? We are approaching the great day of the Lord. His people must make themselves ready. No one is safe if they do not dwell with the Lord. “The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly. That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, A day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers. And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the LORD: and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung. Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD’s wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land.” (Zeph. 1:14-18)

Where can we go to avoid all that is to come? We are living in evil times and how do we fight evil, we go to the safety of the Lord. Howard Rand in his book Study in Daniel on page 325, says “The servant of the Lord is not to be overly concerned with the cares of this life.” He then quotes from the book of Esdras: “Be ye not afraid, neither doubt; for God is your guide” (II Esdras 16:75) I have memorized Psalm 91 and say it aloud every day. It is such a wonderful Psalm of God’s love, protection and care for us. When we dwell with Him in this secret place of the Most High we are confident that we have eternal life with Him. When we abide under the shadow of the Almighty we can feel safe and secure in His protection. This assurance of walking with Him in eternal life and knowing we have His protection gives us the peace that passes understanding. “For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.” (Rom. 14:8).

Though the earth may crumble and the foundations be destroyed, we are safe and secure living in the secret place of the Most High. “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD. Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me. When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek. Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up. Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty. I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” (Psa. 27:1-14)

Daniel 12 verse 3 says “the wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament”. The wise shall understand the times and be as a shining light in the darkness of this world. For such a time as this God has prepared us to be His watchman, let us make ourselves ready.