A realistic look at our world is enough to generate much anxiety. The widespread wickedness, violence, government corruption, and continual rumors of WWIII and/or terrorist attacks often set off alarms concerning our future well-being. I write as one who is not immune to the panic that comes from living amid the multiple threats to our livelihood and safety.
Where do we go when the perils of this life spark anger within us or cause us to retreat within ourselves in fear of what might happen next?
The most popular response today is to fall for the illusion that all will be well in the future. The lure of solutions that offer refuge apart from the arms of Jesus is strong; we must be aware of their appeal so that we do not place our hope in them.
Cisterns That Hold No Water
During a recent interview, David Fiorarzo asked me about how those who dismiss the promises of Bible prophecy deal with todayโs terrors. I offered one suggestion, but as I have continued to think about his question, the words of Jeremiah 2:12-13 have sparked other possible responses. Below are the words to this passage that speak to both those in Christ and those who have not placed their hope in Him:
Jeremiah 2:12-13 KJV – “Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith theย Lord. For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.”
Below are several โbroken cisternsโ that only give the appearance of relief in our fear-mongering world.
1. The Mainstream Media
The mainstream media, which includes the likes of CNN, ABC, CBS, and MSNBC, first creates fear. These news outlets create panic through false narratives regarding such things as climate change or pandemics in order to lead people to their empty remedies that provide no lasting relief and often generate more anger and fear.
The words of Proverbs 13:20 aptly sum up the difference between looking at today’s woes through the lens of Bible prophecy versus that of relying on what the mainstream media offers, โWhoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.โ
The root word for โcompanion,โ in the original, pictures the idea of sheep grazing in a pasture. Those who โgrazeโ upon the worldโs perspective offered by the mainstream media will surely โsuffer harmโ because it always leads to a rejection of biblical wisdom.
2. Gaslighting
The mainstream media furthers todayโs rampant deception by repeating and substantiating false claims. Itโs gaslighting, the repeated confirmation of lies that contradict both what we see and hear. In just the past few weeks, I have either read or heard all of the following affirmations presented as though they were well-established facts:
- President Biden has a perfect memory. (Yes, I recently read this on social media.)
- The Biden administration has lowered the U.S. debt level.
- The COVID injections are completely safe and effective.
- Illegal immigration at the southern border of America is fully under control.
- Illegal immigration is totally out of control and thus a dire threat to our security solely because of the prior presidentโs failure to address the issue.
It doesnโt matter that such statements contradict reality, or even each other, people accept them as truth because they repeatedly hear the same lies on mainstream news outlets. These purveyors of evil know that if they repeat a lie often enough, many will blindly accept it as the truth.
3. Conspiracy Theories
What about those of us that point out the valid threats to our future well-being? Oh, according to those wishing to ignore the threats, what we say lacks any connection to the real world. Those seeking water in the broken cisterns of today regard our warnings as โconspiracy theories.โ
Sadly, many Christians also close their ears to those of us who connect todayโs world with Bible prophecy. โWhat we see today are not signs of the last days,โ they say, โbut rather the products of conspiracy theorists who begin with what they read or hear in the news and then twist Scripture to match.โ
4. Help Is Most Certainly Not On The Way
In the past, I placed too much of my hope in political solutions. I eventually discovered the futility of thinking that politicians can reverse the current path of corruption, evil, and violence in my country. They cannot.
Iโm not saying we as believers should abandon this arena altogether, just that we recognize the futility of hoping that winning elections will eliminate the perils of our day and reverse the course of oneโs nation. I know from experience that such a path leads to great disappointment.
Former President George W. Bush ran for the high office with the campaign slogan, โHelp is on the way.โ However, this quip from Ronald Reagan is far closer to the truth, โThe most terrifying words in the English language are: โI’m from the government and I’m here to help.โโ
5. Modern-Day Purveyors Of A False Peace
The most popular coping mechanism among Christians today is that of trusting the church rather than the Lord Jesus for deliverance from the evils of this age.
The words below, taken from Kari Jobesโ song โAmen (Simple Gospel),โ exemplify this misplaced confidence and not only that, do greatly dishonor the Name of our Savior:
The church will arise
With power and love
Our cities will know
The glory of God
The future is bright
There’s nothing to fear
Revival is now
The Kingdom is here.
The current popularity of seeking refuge inside the walls of our churches results from pastors who promote this illusion of security from the ills of our day. They peddle peace at a time when it most surely doesnโt exist.
In response to the warnings of Jeremiah and Ezekiel concerning Godโs judgment on ancient Judah, those charged with the spiritual care of the people at that time proclaimed โpeace, peace, when there is no peaceโ (Jeremiah 6:14 and also Ezekiel 13:10).
I believe the Lordโs message to many pastors today would mirror the rebuke that He spoke long ago through His prophets to the spiritual shepherds in ancient Judah. Like the mythical sandman, they lull people to sleep with fanciful dreams of a future filled with peace devoid of the Lordโs soon intervention in our world.
The Name Of The Lord
There is a safe place amid the terrors of today. The words Proverbs 18:10 very much apply to us today:
Proverbs 18:10 KJV – “The name of theย Lordย is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.”
The โname of the Lordโ consists both of the words of Scripture He has given to us and His indwelling presence through the Holy Spirit in us.
When I feel the assault of the devil seeking to instill fear/anger within me because of what I see in todayโs world, I run to the arms of Jesus. I do this by:
1. Immersing My Mind On Passages About Jesusโ Appearing
I feel the Lordโs comfort when I immerse my mind in biblical texts that speak to His imminent appearing and the glory that will be ours in eternity. Although I have read passages 1 Corinthians 15:47-58, 1 John 3:1-3, Philippians 3:20-21, Colossians 3:1-4, and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11 perhaps hundreds of times, reading them afresh still encourages my heart.
Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, inspired the words of such passages to relieve our fears and encourage our hearts (1 Thessalonians 4:13; 5:11).
Please donโt discount the calm that comes from immersing yourself in passages of Scripture that speak to the joy and glory thatโs headed your way in eternity.
2. Regarding Today As Biblical Times
I first heard the words, โWe live in biblical times,โ while listening to a Dr. David Reagan interview. Remembering this truth always brings me back from the brink of unnecessary fear. The Bible said the world would be like this in the last days.
This truth reminds me that God remains sovereignly in control of history and along with that, shouts to me that Jesusโ appearing to take me home is ever so near.
The message of Bible prophecy assures us that the One who so accurately revealed the future to prophets long ago (Isaiah 46:8-13) is more than able to keep His promises to us today.
3. Recognizing The Certainty Of Godโs Judgment
When the darkness of today threatens to overwhelm my soul, I often retreat to the words of Psalms 37 and 94. Thereโs something about seeing the certainty of the Lordโs future judgment on widespread evil, such as we now witness, that enables me to deal with what I see.
Yes, the villains of our day appear free to perpetuate murder, lawlessness, deceit, and violence with no one holding them accountable. Most will never see the inside of a jail cell regardless of what they do. However, the Lord will bring them to justice, and it will be far worse than a prison sentence.
4. Casting All My Cares Upon The Lord
During the past year, I have read 1 Peter 5:1-11 more times than I can remember. I have found that casting all my โanxietiesโ or โcaresโ on the One who cares for me brings sweet relief to my soul. Whether it be the angst I feel from current events, nagging concerns, or that of dealing with those who fervently oppose my ministry, the visualization of casting all these things onto the hands of the Lord always calms my heart (vv. 6-7).
If you trust Jesus as your Savior, please recognize that He alone is your place of refuge. When the threats and concerns of this world overwhelm you, run to His loving arms and shove all your troubles onto the hands of the One who dearly loves you. His โnameโ remains the โstrong towerโ of refuge in a world gone mad
If you have not yet put your trust in Jesus alone for eternal life, please, please read my post, Jesus Is the Only Path to Eternal Life. In it, I explain how you can know that Jesus has forgiven all your sins and that you possess eternal life and with the sure hope of receiving an immortal and incorruptible body at Jesusโ appearing (1 Corinthians 15:48-54).
Please donโt delay; call upon Jesus while you may! Tomorrow may be too late to avoid the death and destruction that is surely coming to our world.
