All of it boils down to this: nearly all of the popular content today promises that with just a few simple changes to the politics of the country, or to your diet, or to your workflow, you can have the body, life, and country of your dreams. This promise is the sugar-stick candy of the world – it tells you that you can diet, work, or vote your way to a perfect life and a perfect world. The problem here is that that isn’t what the Bible tells us about the world:

1Jn 2:15  Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

1Jn 2:16  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

1Jn 2:17  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

If we believe Christ then there is no mystery about the state of the world we live in. It is a sinful place that (generally) does not welcome those who follow Christ. So, the next time things aren’t going quite right for you in this world, remember, they aren’t really supposed to! Our job (as Christians) is to prepare for eternity, our job is not to be a successful in this current world.

Joh 15:19  If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

Now that is a strong statement by Jesus! We are not a few “changes” away from a perfect life and country, unless the change you are considering is the path of Christ. By following the plan of salvation you can truly have the fruitful (and eternal) change that the world falsely promises. Build your hope on things eternal – build your hope on Christ.

2Co 4:16  For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

2Co 4:17  For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

2Co 4:18  While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

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Thankfully covid isn’t leading most people to hospitalization and death, but the fact remains: this still isn’t over. I think this is made all the more difficult because many of us thought the pandemic was drawing to a close.

Troublesome Times

As Christians we must remember that the Bible tells us that there will be troublesome times in our lives. There will be sickness, death, and hardships of all kinds. Still, we mustn’t lose our faith in Christ, who can see us through all of the great difficulties of life. Here are a few verses that might help to cheer you up during these days of hardship:

Psa 46:1  To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Psa 46:2  Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

Psa 46:3  Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

God will be with us no matter the troubles that befall the earth. We must remember to focus on our eternal home, not the temporary home we have here. This earthly home is finite and will certainly pass away regardless of the state of the pandemic.

Isa 51:6  Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.

If we hold fast to the doctrine given to us by God (the Bible) we will be able to withstand all of life’s hardships and trials. This does not mean it will be easy to withstand these difficulties, but it does mean that we can do so successfully with the help of God. By overcoming these hardships we will be able to achieve a home that is not temporary – a home where no evil or calamity will invade our perfect peace.

Rom 8:18  For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

I also want to add something else. God will also take care of us here on earth! Let us never forget the words of Jesus:

Mat 6:25  Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

Mat 6:26  Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

In conclusion, we must trust God through these difficult times. Be as safe as you can and do what you can to keep others safe, but remember that God is in control.

With trust in God we can overcome far more than the pandemic, we can overcome the trials and temptations that keep us from living in God’s good grace. Let us all strive to live faithfully and (through prayer, obedience, and love) lean on God in all of the great difficulties we face.

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