Daily devotion – drawing closer and closer..
Monday, October 21st, 2024 Devotion:
As we approach the end of what has been a tumultuous year, many of us are feeling the weight of uncertainty. The war in Israel continues with no clear resolution in sight. Will there be a ceasefire, a peace settlement, or will the conflict escalate further, with nations like Russia, Iran, and Turkey now more openly involved?
In addition to this, the war in Ukraine has been ongoing for more than a decade, and still, we wake up each morning unsure of what new events will unfold. These wars, along with political turmoil and inner unrest, make us wonder where the world is headed. The U.S. presidential election is underway, and the outcome, no matter the result, seems unlikely to bring true peace or stability to a once powerful nation. What role will the U.S. play in the days ahead, and how will this shape global affairs? The Bible does not specifically highlight the future of the U.S., leaving many of us with more questions than answers.
Australia, too, is changing rapidly, following the patterns of other Western nations, grappling with internal conflicts and pressures from abroad. The distance that once kept Australia insulated from these global tensions now seems to have shrunk, as the nation is increasingly impacted by worldwide influences.
Amidst all this uncertainty, there is one constant that remains steadfast: the truth of the Bible. In times of turmoil, fear, and confusion, we can hold fast to the promises of God.
Jesus Himself said in John 14:1, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.” Even in the face of wars, political instability, and a world spinning into chaos, Jesus calls us to trust in Him.
Our world is drawing close to events it has never experienced before as the Day of Jacob’s Trouble—the Great Tribulation—draws near. Jesus warned that the days leading up to His return would be much like those in the time of Noah and Lot.
Luke 17:26-30 reminds us:
“As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed.”
As we observe people living their lives as if nothing were out of the ordinary, we must recognize that the world is collectively marching toward a time like no other. Even in the midst of devastating wars, many are oblivious, distracted by trivial concerns, while others are consumed with surviving the immediate crises of war and disaster.
That is why I urge you today to watch and pray. Seek the fellowship of God’s people. Make daily time in God’s Word a priority in your life. Without this spiritual anchor, you may find yourself pulled into a vortex of either ignorance or selfish indulgence—both of which can lead you away from the path God has called you to walk.
Let your days be filled with a heart that is ever attentive to God’s voice, and with a passion to serve and glorify Him with every breath you are given. He is the one true source of hope and stability in these uncertain times. As we move through this season of global unrest, may we be found standing firm in our faith, trusting in the One who holds the world in His hands.
Keep watch, stay alert, and hold fast to the promises of Christ, for He is our peace, even when the world around us is in chaos.