Faithful and Mighty

July 16

Where are we to turn when the unthinkable happens? What are we to do when the unspoken dread in our spirit that persuades us of impending disaster looms before us? How is the believer to react when he hears of the “…wars and rumors of war…” (Mark 13:7) spoken of by Jesus that would attend the last days before His return?

Should we be generous to give aid to those in far-flung places who are experiencing the “earthquakes and famines and troubles in divers places that are the beginning of sorrows,” (verse 8) or should we hoard whatever resources we may possess in order to ward off the seemingly inevitable as long as possible for ourselves?

What should our reaction be when Jesus’ words in Mark 13:13, “You shall be hated by all men for My name’s sake…” seem to come to fruition, even in the nations where His name was once held in high esteem? At these times of tragedy and loss on a world-wide scale, when we find ourselves to be victims of men’s hatred because we profess Christ, we must remember the conclusion of verse 13 which says, “…but he that shall endure to the end shall be saved.”

Our salvation will come because our God is faithful. He made this glorious promise in Isaiah 32:2, “And a Man shall be as your hiding place from the wind and your covering from the tempest; He shall be your living water in the dry, thirsty place and the great rock in whose shadow you may find respite from the torturous heat.” That Man is Jesus. When the winds of adversity blow and the parched spiritual landscape threatens to destroy men of faith, He shall be found faithful—and mighty to save!