What In The World Is Going On In The World?

       All around us, and almost daily, some really horrifying things are happening throughout the world in the name of a particular God whom the terrorist themselves call Allah.  Evil seems to abound throughout the globe, and there does not seem to be an end in site to all the carnage. Morally people take the lives of their own babies from the early days of pregnancies to the later stages of a pregnancy, even in the ninth month.  What use to  be called deviant behavior and pure sexual immorality is now being touted as a "civil right." Some are so traumatized by life that they end their life journey by committing suicide.  War seems to be everywhere.  Earthquakes, famine, malignant growths (pestilence,) sorcery (pharmakeia or drug abuse,) murder, hatred, disrespect for the elderly or any fellow human beings ... all of these abound.  Some people in our inner cities are fearful of even walking out there doors because a stray bullet might kill them.  All throughout Facebook, Twitter and other social media, people seem distraught, and they ask the question that serves as the title of this blog:  "What in the world is going on in the world?"

    Jesus talked about these days, as did Paul and other scripture writers: Jesus described these days in detail in Matthew 24.  Paul talked about the days when people would be lawless and leave their natural desires,  where people of the same gender,  would unashamedly be sexually involved with one another. They would do this so much that God would give them over to their desires and not be able to change.  "Haters" would abound in these days.  People's value systems would be based on their own way of looking at things and not the law of God.  Disrespect would abound. People would no longer speak with each other, but they would certainly talk at each other.  All this would take place during the generation of the "fig tree" budding or Israel becoming a nation again, which happened in the late 1940s.  

    Jesus had disturbing things to tell us, and they are all coming to pass; however, one thing that stands out to me is that Jesus told us these things two millennia in advance to give us assurance that he already knew about this, and he wanted us to have peace by which to live.  Child of God NONE of what's going on in the world today is taking God by surprise.  It all falls in line with the prophetic utterances of God's ancient messengers, including the message of the Son of The Living God. His life, death, burial, resurrection, ascension and establishing his eternal covenant, all make it possible to prepare us in this life to live until we die so that we will live.  I think he wants us to let the rest of the world know about this so that they in Christ may live also.

    Let me tell you a story:  A number of my friends on social media are inquiring of their friends, especially Facebook friends, if they have their "six."  This is military jargon for someone "having your back."  Twelve o'clock is straight in front of  a pilot who was flying back in the older days of heavier than air flight machines ... especially WW-2.  Three o'clock is straight below.  Nine o'clock, directly above.  You guessed it.  Six o'clock is your back.  So, when a military Veteran ask if you have their "six" or they promise to have your "six" a commitment is being made to protect you from your back ... to have your back.

    The good news of the Gospel of Jesus is many faceted. Part of the good news, and the greatest news of all is that God has your "six."  He saves you from hell, death and the grave.  He has your "six." He delivers you from bondage to sin and death.  He has your six, he gives you the ability to overcome every trauma, trial, tribulation, test or tempestuous trouble.  He has your "six."  He is with you always. He has your "six."  He will NEVER leave you or forsake you.  Why?  You guessed it again ... God has your "six."

     So I have bad news and I have good news:  All the stuff going on in the world is going to continue. All the stuff our blessed Savior and his Apostles told us all about it.  None of this should ever take us by surprise.  Now for the good news.  The Lord is the good shepherd for the "sheep of God's pasture." Because of this, we shall not want for or lack anything we need.  We may abase, as Paul says. Or we may bound, but He will supply all our needs according to his riches in glory.  He will make us lay down in quiet places for rest when we need it. He will lead us through place quiet places as well. Each day He WILL restore our souls ... no matter what is going on in the world.  While others are living by a rule of their own that will lead to destruction, both now and in eternity, He will lead us in the path that is right (the path of righteousness.) Why will He do this? He does this for His name sake. That is to say, the very integrity of His Holy good name is at stake.  For He promised to do so. Even though we may walk through some troubling times, we are never alone. For He is with us; therefore, we do not have to be afraid. He will drive off the enemies of our souls, and He will pick us up when we fall. When we face the enemy, we will be able to sit right with them and face them.  Finally, we can know that The Almighty's goodness and mercy will journey with us each new day.  And if and when we pass from this earth, "We WILL dwell in The House of The Lord forever" ... the house that Jesus went a prepared for us.

Y'all be blessed today.  Especially today.

SoJourner