Wars and Rumors of Wars

# 657 Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 13:7,8 "But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet. "For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows.

Every generation since the time of Jesus have pounced upon these words from Him to state their case about the “end being near.” But think about it. There have always been wars, two of them were almost world wide! Yet, here we are, the Lord has not returned.

Likewise there have always been famines and earthquakes, some more serious than others, yet here we are, the Lord has not returned.

There have always been “troubles” that is, civil disturbances, riots, resisting of civil authorities. Yet, here we are, the Lord has not returned.

While these events should always trigger thoughts and hopes of our Lord's soon (perhaps we should say “sooner”) return, it seems every time these disasters strike, whether natural or man-made, some Christians go into panic mode.

But what does Jesus say? “Do not be troubled.” The Greek word means “do not be frightened, or do not make a lot of noise about it.” It seems we often do just the opposite of what Jesus tells us to do. We make excessive noise about it. (isn't that typical1)

Beloved, chill. Jesus said these things must happen, rest in the knowledge that He knows, and then in all troubled times, indeed in good times and bad, learn to rest in Him.

The main thing of course is to be ready, to be about the Father's business when Jesus returns.

Father, we live in a tumultuous world, grant us Thy peace.