2014 was quite the year. Atrocities and tragedies seem to abound. We read headlines of heart- breaking events within our country, within our schools and on our streets. Calamities in the Middle East are the norm and we are used to seeing such unrest on the evening news, but within North America such horrific events seem to be on the increase. Even those whose life’s work of serving to protect us or lead us, who should be respected to the utmost, are being hatefully targeted.
In Canada and the United States, innocent people whose nationality or beliefs which may be different from your own, can no longer walk the streets within their own community without suffering some kind of threat. Travel by air and train now has greater danger—even driving in your car carries more risk and road rage is something we hear about far more often. The Internet is no longer safe; sites are being hacked and individuals are becoming prey and being solicited by evil doers. Need I go on? The world is in bad shape.
How can we be secure, in such troubled and uncertain times? Do we invest in more security systems? Do we build greater walls around ourselves emotionally and physically? Do we hoard water, gas and food in case the unthinkable happens? Do we blame God and choose to push Him out of our lives?
God is here now and He offers hope. “The eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His steadfast love” (Psalm 33:18).
He is aware of every injustice that happens on the earth. We do not know of the probable millions and billions of times He daily intervenes in our lives, seeking to protect and point people to Jesus Christ the Savior, offering to take away their fear. He uses His people and circumstances to get our attention. But ultimately He uses His Word; which shows us whether our motives are true to Him or whether we are living according to our own agenda.
Yes, God does judge sin. He must because we have not kept His Word and obeyed Him as we should, but God is also full of mercy and grace, not willing that any should perish (Psalm 86:5; Second Peter 3:9).
Did you know that God judged His only Son on your behalf? The Lord Jesus took the punishment that our sins deserved. He bore it all and satisfied God’s wrath that our pride, disobedience and unbelief incurred.
Any person reading this article can easily look back on their life and remember the times they have been rescued or times where they experienced much blessing or the times when they their actions should have been judged and consequences received but instead they got mercy and escaped loss or pain. These incidents are all the hand of God.
Every good thing we have ever received is because God allowed it and yet we don’t deserve any blessing because we have offended Him daily (Romans 3:23). We were put here by God and for God. Most of the world has not acknowledged this truth, nor are they seeking to live by God’s Word and for His glory. Therefore they are not secure.
Is there security for such troubling times in 2015? YES! To be in God’s will provides the best security on this earth. What is God’s will? Firstly, that you acknowledge your need of Him as your own Savior and trust Him alone for the forgiveness of your sins. He is the only one who can take away the judgment that hangs over your head. “He that has the Son, has life and he that doesn’t have the Son shall not see life, but God’s wrath is upon that person” (John 3:36). Secondly, God wants you to walk with Him and bring Him glory! He will give you light for your life and show you the path that He wants you to follow (John 8:12; Proverbs 3:5-6).
There are beautiful promises of hope in God’s Word that He can never break and keeps true even in 2015! His Word says, “Perfect love takes away all fear” (1 John 4:18). Have you accepted God’s perfect love shown through His Son? If you do, He promises to take away the fears that are present in your life today. He never created us to live in fear. Fear comes when we do not trust His Word (Romans 10:17; John 10:10). God’s Word says, “For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear; I will help you” (Isaiah 41:13). “I give to my sheep eternal life and nobody can pluck them out of my hand.” (John 10:28) To place yourself in God’s grip, gives you the greatest security a person can ever have—even if you are in the most dangerous situation you can be in—He will not let go of you. Though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death (while we are living here in 2015, we are always in that shadow), we don’t have to fear evil if God is with us!
Becky Kew shares Good News as she does youth ministry at Sandy Bay First Nation, Manitoba, Canada. Beckykew@outlook.com
