Life is really, really short. James 4:14 likens it to a vapor, a whisper, its span no more than that of grass (see Psalm 103:15), something that appears for a brief time and is suddenly gone.
Paul told Timothy that in the last days, perilous times would come on the face of the earth. Surely this describes our time, with a global pandemic and political upheaval in so many countries. Paul added that people’s hearts would grow cold, causing them to fall away from faith. Every study shows that in the Western world, Christians are forsaking faith and the church is shrinking.
Most Christians I know are kind, loving, considerate, caring and helpful. I believe very few in the church think of themselves as unkind. I don’t think you can be a true Christian and be unkind.
When we think of kind people, our image is of quiet, soft-spoken men and women who never seem to say a negative word about anyone. They are sweet and gentle, always willing to do something for another person, always carrying a kind word on their lips.
When David wrote Psalm 3, he faced a dramatic and devastating time in his life. Overwhelmed by excruciating trials, he cried out in agony, “O Lord, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me” (Psalm 3:1, ESV).
I believe the church will never understand the importance of prayer until we grasp one foundational truth. Simply put, prayer is not just for our own benefit or relief but rather for the delight of the Lord.
Throughout the New Testament, we’re told that in these last days there will be a great apostasy. Jesus said that even some devoted servants – “if possible, even the elect” (Matthew 24:24, ESV) – might fall away from faith.
I don’t believe there ever has been a time like the present with so many devoted Christians worldwide being so incredibly tested. God is allowing his children to be tried by fire, and many are going through the test of their lives.
So many Christians today deal with deep worry and anxiety. If this describes you, I can assure you that no matter what may cause your worry or fear, Jesus holds your remedy.
Every child of God suffers disappointments. At times we can feel totally defeated, despairing and dead inside because all our hopes, dreams and visions have gone wrong. We may hope for something, seeking God for it and waiting for it expectantly, but we never see it come to pass. All of these things bring disappointment, and that can lead to anguish. Anguish is a painful loss of heart, a sense of hopelessness that no matter how hard we may try things will never work out for us.
Even the hardest times will see an increase of God’s kingdom, born out of the fervent prayers of his people.
