Key Passage
“You will hear about wars that are being fought. And you will hear stories about other wars beginning. But don’t be afraid. These things must happen before the end comes.”
— Mark 13:7 ERV (Read Full Text)
Key Thought
When war occurs, people panic. That has always been true and it was certainly true in Jesus’ day. However, just because numerous wars are occurring simultaneously does not signal that the end of the world is near. These things will happen in our world throughout our fallen history. Unfortunately war is a very prevalent problem with the human condition. As sad and horrific as war is, we must know that it is not the cause or determinant of the end of the world.
Prayer
O Father, I confess that I am upset that people are killed, maimed, destroyed, and separated from each other by wars and the destruction they cause. I want to stop these problems, but I know I cannot. Help me not become overly distraught at what I cannot change and help me trust you to be at work in our world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Related Scriptures
Do you know where your fights and arguments come from? Your fights and arguments come from the selfish desires that make war inside you. You want things, but you don’t get them. So you kill and are jealous of other people. But you still cannot get what you want. So you argue and fight. You don’t get the things you want because you don’t ask {God}. Or when you ask, you don’t receive. Why? Because the reason you ask is wrong. You only want things so that you can use those things for your own pleasures. So you people are not faithful to God! You should know that loving the world is the same as hating God. So if a person wants to be a part of the world, then he makes himself God’s enemy.
— James 4:1-4
They will make war against the Lamb. But the Lamb will defeat them, because he is Lord of lords and King of kings. He will defeat them with his chosen and faithful followers—the people that he has called.”
— Revelation 17:14
You can go to God Most-High to hide. You can go to the God All-Powerful for protection. I say to the Lord, “You are my place of safety, my fortress. My God, I trust you.” God will save you from hidden dangers and dangerous diseases. You can go to God for protection. He will protect you like a bird spreading its wings over its babies. God will be like a shield and a wall protecting you. You will have nothing to fear at night. And you won’t be afraid of enemy arrows during the day. You will not be afraid of diseases that come in the dark, or terrible sicknesses that come at noon. You will defeat 1,000 enemies. Your own right hand will defeat 10,000 enemy soldiers. Your enemies will not even touch you! Just look, and you will see that those wicked people are punished!
— Psalm 91:1-8
Devotional provided by Heartlight®
© 1996-2016. All rights reserved.
