Can We Survive This Changing World?

“…where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”
[Freedom, Peace] (2Cor. 3:17)

Yes, dear friends, it is a changing world, one that most of us are have trouble to come to grips with because it is so totally different from anything that we have ever experienced and is totally foreign to our way of life, to the way we normally think and the way we act. Now, the question is, will we be able to adapt to this change and can we survive in this new environment that is centered on government mandates and rules, and all but banned God out of the equation?

In last month’s article I had us looking at crossing our Red Sea. Whereas our forbearers crossed their Sea of Reeds by the miraculous Hand of God, led by Moses, went across on dry ground, leading their flocks and driving their herds of cattle, we on the other hand are being driven across our virtual Sea of Red Tape as cattle being led to the slaughter. This brings to mind the cattle drives of the Old West, when herds from Texas were being driven for hundreds of miles to the holding pens and a railhead in Kansas City to be further transported by cattle trains to the slaughter houses in Chicago and New York. These herds, varying in size of a few hundred to sometimes twelve to fifteen hundred were being herded by a crew of cowboys on horseback, one or two riding point to steer these beeves in the direction that was to be followed, three or four outriders on each flank to make sure that none of these cattle strayed and two or three riding the drag to ensure that the herd kept moving forward rather than let these cows graze leisurely. Surely you can see the similarity that is facing us now. Unseen outside forces are keeping us in line and preventing us from straying, whereas official forces are making sure that we toe the line and prevent us from going back to our familiar lifestyle and keep pushing us into a future that is very vague and unsure.

So, how is a Bible believing follower of the Lamb supposed to react to these detrimental rules and regulations without coming apart at the seams? Our answer, of course, is first and foremost to be found in the Bible, God’s Holy and unchangeable Word. One of the best examples for survival during these pandemic times is, in my opinion, found in the twenty-third Psalm, where David states, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.” This Psalm has been a beacon of comfort for millions of believers throughout the centuries and even today it has not lost its comforting power and qualities. When we look closely at the verses of this Psalm we come to realize that our Lord is in fact a very gentle shepherd who does not push us or force us in any way but gently leads us in such a way that comforts our whole being in protective love. In this pandemic turmoil and confusion verse four really stands out in light of the reported cases and death attributed to this viral scourge. For in truth we feel like we are walking through the valley of the shadow of death, at least that is the mindset of the majority of the population. The Psalmist stated in the same verse that we will fear no evil, for we are assured that the Lord’s presence is sufficient in every and all circumstances. Yes, dear friends, it was not only so in David’s time, but that assurance is ours today also!

But, my friends, there is a big problem. In the Book of Amos there is a very disturbing statement that goes as follows, “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it.” (Amos 8:11-12) Yes! For many, many years now the majority of our churches have preached a sugar-coated message to the people. A feel good gospel that has very little in common with the Apostolic message of the Bible, with the result that most church goers are completely illiterate as far as the Bible is concerned and consequently, that brings into play Hosea 4:6, where we read, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee,”.

O Yes! Do not deceive yourselves, God in His anger is pouring out His wrath in a torrent due to His indignation on the wayward and decedent nations because they (we) refuse to recognize and honor His Holy Name. Even the remnant of believers, even though they are not part of this world, but live in this wicked world, are being hurt by God’s indignation. The precedence of fact of the deportation of Israel to Assyria and Judah to Babylon bears out the fact that the good, although guiltless, were deported as well. The hope, as found in the Bible is like a lifeboat in a storm, but because of most believers’ Biblical ignorance they have no sail or oars to manage that lifeboat and are carried by this stream of God’s indignation to destruction. As never before all of us should fall on our knees and pray to God for mercy and deliverance,

And Isa. 55:7 tells us, “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” (Isa. 55:7) If God will abundantly pardon the wicked, then imagine His grace and mercy unto them that love Him! Amen and Amen!