The Call to Wait on the Lord in Difficult Times

The Call to Wait on the Lord in Difficult Times

Matthew 24:3-14

With the recent Covid 19 outbreak in South Korea there is now much fear among people in Korea. In Christian circles there are many theories why God has allowed the outbreak to happen. Some of these theories do reflect the Bible and others can never really be verified. Regardless, we do we need to ask ourselves as a church what is God speaking to us.

  

In Matthew 24 the disciples are worried about their future and ask about when the end is coming. The scriptures tell us that things will become much worse before the end. Jesus tells his disciples to take note of difficult times.

When such perilous moments happen we need to awaken to the reality that we are pilgrims on a journey home. If these disasters were only for non-believers, then we would tell people to join the church to receive protection from the disasters. But in these cases when the hard times happen both Christian and non-Christian, we must remember this Earth is not our home. 

Our situation seem to be getting worse, but Jesus tells us not to worry and understand that these hardships are necessary.

For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places.

Matthew 24:7 ESV

Jesus is in control and will limit the scope of time. He understands what we are capable of enduring and wants us to be rescued.

And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.

Matthew 24:22 ESV 

Another important point is to remember we should not be led astray by others. In fact, we are told not to be dissuaded from the truth by anything. 

 And Jesus answered them, "See that no one leads you astray.

Matthew 24:4 ESV 

These days there are many cults and false teachings. We need to take seriously that people are trying to lead us astray from Jesus and the truth. This is a warning that we need to be cautious of the cults and false teachers. If we do not know the truth about the word of God, we can be misled. 

For many will come in my name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and they will lead many astray.

Matthew 24:5 ESV

  

Pandemics, wars, recessions, depressions and the other troubles will come, and our role in the church is to pray. We need to pray for strength for ourselves and the church. We need to pray for wisdom so we need to know how to manage the situation. We also need to pray for faith that we can believe that God is in control and there is hope.

Jesus tells us that there is hope and there is an end. There is a salvation for those who endured. God's love for us endures forever.

But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

Matthew 24:13 ESV

  

Jesus does not want us to lose heart or strength. Our Lord encourages us to press on and understand that this is not our world. Something much better is waiting for us.