It seems the whole world is trembling right now over current events. Almost every day we wake up to another development that shakes our foundation, it seems. Within the last year the earth has experienced record-breaking floods, devastating fires that are wiping out entire towns, hurricanes, earthquakes. And then we have the rapid, indisputable moral decline of our society.
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you” (John 14:27). This marvelous word from Jesus had to amaze the disciples. In their eyes, it was an almost unbelievable promise: Christ’s peace was to become their peace. These twelve men had marveled at the peace they had witnessed in Jesus for the past three years. Their Master was always calm, never afraid, never ruffled by any circumstance. And now Jesus was promising them this very same peace!
As the world witnesses one calamity after another and unrest increases, people’s “hearts [are] failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth” (Luke 21:26). There have been many prophetic warnings about such calamities — earthquakes, famines, plagues — and interest in the rapture and end times has increased. Yet, to many, God has been left completely out of the equation. Believers have been stirred to pray and prepare, but sinners seem to shrug their shoulders. The ungodly simply are not listening.
God takes no delight in the testing of his children. The Bible says Christ is sympathetic toward us in all our trials, being touched by the feelings of our infirmities. In Revelation 2:9 he tells the church, “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty.” He is saying, in essence, “I know what you are going through. You may not understand it, but I know all about it.”
“One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple” (Psalm 27:4).
As you look at your life, are you discouraged because of failed expectations? You may have prayed for years, but the things you believed God for have not come to pass. The enemy may be whispering, “You haven’t been effective at all; in fact, your life has not made any difference in the world.”
It is possible to say, “I believe God can do the impossible,” and yet be unable to accept the miracles of the Lord for ourselves because of a doubting heart. In Matthew we find Jesus getting into a boat to leave for “a deserted place by Himself” (14:13). He had just received word that John the Baptist had been beheaded and he was so moved by the news that he felt the need to be by himself to pray. Yet, when the multitudes heard that Jesus was leaving, “they followed Him on foot from the cities” (same verse).
“When the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8). Why would Jesus ask such a question? It implies a lack of faith, not just on the worldly but among God’s people.
At some point you may find your relationship with the Savior becoming cool and distant. A look at the apostle Peter’s life reveals that he denied Christ three time, even going so far as to tell his accusers, “I do not know Him” (Luke 22:57). This disciple was sure of his relationship with Jesus and had said to himself and others, “I could never grow cold in my love for Christ. Others may walk away, but I will die for my Lord” (see Matthew 26:35).
It is possible for Christians to become spiritually neglectful, caught up in prayerlessness, going for days without seeking God’s Word. Yes, the Bible clearly warns that it is possible for devoted believers to drift from Christ and it offers powerful warnings about guarding against falling asleep in the midnight hour: “Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.