Have you ever been in a conversation about current events, where someone cited a verses or passage from the Bible which seemed as though they could be today’s Breaking News? As though they were not millennia old? As though nothing had changed since they were originally spoken or written down? Today is November 11th, Veterans’ Day, Remembrance Day, Armistice Day, throughout the Western World, referring to the ceasefire agreement signed on this day in France, in 1918, bringing to an end all hostilities on the Western Front. To those who had lived through the years of terrible conflict, whether civilian or military, this event, this inking of signatures on an official document, was the purest relief and the first trace of hope that normalcy could be restored, that peace could truly return. It held the promise of a permanent end to all warfare, ever. But it was not to be. Not then. Not now. Now ever. To confirm, below is a translation of Jesus’ prophetic words, spoken 2,000 years ago:
“You will hear of wars nearby and revolutions on every side, with more rumors of wars to come. Don’t panic or give in to your fears, for the breaking apart of the world’s system is destined to happen. But it won’t yet be the end; it will still be unfolding. Nations will go to war against each other and kingdoms against kingdom. And there will be terrible earthquakes – seismic events of epic proportions, horrible epidemics and famines in place after place. This is how the first contractions and birth pangs of the new age will begin.” – Matthew 24, TPT
So, here we are on November 11, 2021, 103 years after that momentous ceremony in Compiègne, France, and one would be hard pressed to deny the accuracy of Jesus’ prophecy. Information sources are global, world crises are front page news every day (and 24/7 online), and anyone can opine at will on any subject, from any point of view, (as well as from any state of mental clarity). Unsnarling the tangled layers of conjecture and fearmongering and just plain rant is a perplexing, irritating, endless task. But, returning to Jesus’ statement, we are reminded not to panic or give in to our fears. Are we sensing a ‘breaking apart of the world’s system’? Are there troubling, scandalous societal developments constantly and shamelessly parading their godlessness? Are doomsday prophets perpetually sounding the Chicken Little alarm? Are we incessantly bombarded by the direst, the most horrific, the most unconscionable? And yet, there’s Jesus, at perfect peace within himself, with the Father, and toward us, saying, ‘Don’t panic, don’t give in to your fears.’ I think Jesus is advocating a steely-eyed focus on himself as our Source, our Savior, our Shalom. In turning around to position ourselves face-to-face with him, what does Jesus do? He tenderly enfolds us in his embrace, shielding us from the foment and chaos and terrors, and reminds us of his promises to us, his love for us, our forever place in his Kingdom. The Holy Spirit stirs within us, quieting us like a mother quiets the nursing baby at her breast. And the world, one moment dizzyingly atilt, rightens itself, ushering in the return of Shalom and with it a refreshing inrush of gratitude for all that is ours with him, in the eye of the storm. To help set our ‘worlds’ back in order, and to remember Who we remember today, here’s Andrew Peterson’s declaration, ‘Is He Worthy?’ https://youtu.be/3V63eXZ1BXE Peace, y’all. PD
