Rioting, looting, Racism, and Pandemic, unemployment, unsettledness, pride, wickedness, are just a few of the things we are seeing and living with in the world today. You name it and it seems to be happening. We who belong to the Lord are crying out for his help, his direction, we want him to stop all of it NOW!  We don’t like being uncomfortable, we don’t like seeing those we love and care about affected. Their hurt is our hurt.

 

God seems slow, He seems to be silent on issues that hurt us. We long to be back in our church buildings in corporate worship, with freedom and abandon. We long to hug the necks of friends, sit down at a table, and fellowship with laughter and fun. Some have started to go out and take life back, others are still cowering in fear and uncertainty.  Questions arise like: “if you can walk shoulder to shoulder in a riot or protect, why can we not go to church and sit shoulder to shoulder in worship?” Valid, questions I think if we are looking narrowly.

 

I can assure you God is not slow. God is aware of all that is going on and is allowing it for purposes he alone knows. I suspect some of those purposes have been to wake up the complacent church, to shake the hearts of his people. God wants us looking up towards heaven, down into his word, and on our knees in prayer. He wants us to focus on him and who he is, not this world which is passing away. He is also sifting the wheat. Not all are his. They may have sat on a pew, but their hearts have never been surrendered to the Lord.

 

Psalm 75 “We give thanks to you, O God, we give thanks, for your Name is near; men tell of your wonderful deeds. 2 You say, “I choose the appointed time; it is I who judge uprightly. 3 When the earth and all its people quake, it is I who hold its pillars firm. 4 To the arrogant I say, ‘Boast no more,’ and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horns. 5 Do not lift your horns against heaven; do not speak with outstretched neck.’ ” 6 No one from the east or west or from the desert can exalt a man. 7 But it is God who judges; He brings one down, he exalts another. 8 In the hand of the Lord is a cup full of foaming wine mixed with spices; he pours it out, and all the wicked of the earth drink it down to its very dregs. 9 As for me, I will declare this forever; I will sing praise to the God of Jacob. 10 I will cut off the horns of the wicked, but the horns of the righteous will be lifted up.”

 

God will act when he is ready. He alone knows the perfect timing. He alone is allowing all that is going on for his purposes. He has not lost control. If God were not still holding back evil none of us would be able to stand, no one would make it through. God’s perspective is not ours. We see through human eyes those things which seem out of control, too much, but God sees perfectly, and he will not act until even evil has fulfilled the purposes for which he is allowing it.

 

We want everything NOW, we want the ease and comfort of our lives back. We want “happy news.” We are tired of the hate-filled words we are hearing, even from Christians. We want to feel safe again going out. WE WANT, WE WANT is our thundering cry. But I repeat, God has perfect timing, and when He decides it is over, trust me it will be! He is the final Judge and Jury to the wicked. He has the final say in all things. God will come against the wicked. Right now they think they are winning, they think that time is on their side. They have not been stopped thus far, so…Unless these whose hearts are dark and full of evil repent, they will get their reward one day. Eternity in hell is a very long time…matter of fact, it NEVER ENDS!

 

If what we are seeing is just a glimpse of what awaits those who are lost, then we who are saved need to pray for them. When all the evil of hell is unleashed on those who die without Christ…just imagine if you can how truly horrible it will be. Theirs is not a sweet cup they are drinking from; it is bitter all the way to the grave. God will bring down and exalt whomever he chooses.

 

Our job is to seek him, daily go to his word, daily prayer, and praise. We are to keep our eyes, our hearts, and our minds fixed on Jesus. We are to be the “light in dark places,” “the city on a hill,” for those in need. We are to look and sound different than the world. If we are looking and sounding like the world, we need to do a ‘heart check.’

Do you believe in Jesus, have you bowed your head in repentance and submission. Are you fully surrendered to his Lordship? These are just some of the questions you need to ask yourself.

 

At the right time, in the right way, God will act. He will accomplish all that he intends to, and until he does, He can keep you, He will bless you, He will help you, He hears your cries for help and mercy. God will walk with you and even talk with you when you read and pray. He can give you peace even in the midst of the storm. STOP looking at Jesus through the storm and start seeing the storm through Jesus!

 

Waiting…it is not something we like to do. But God assures us that our waiting is not in vain and He will answer!

 

Blessings to you as you seek “The Kingdom of God” first and choose to walk in love regardless of what the world is doing. Let the waiting be your friend : )