Difficult Times

Look around. Why is the world full of sickness, turmoil, and confusion? It is because we have an enemy that seeks to destroy us. "Be sober; watch. Your adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking someone to devour." (1 Peter 5:8)

Yet, in the beginning, God created man to express Him and to represent Him in His dominion over the earth (Genesis 1:26). To accomplish this, God created man in a unique way - with a spirit. Zechariah 12:1 says “Thus declares Jehovah, who stretches forth the heavens and lays the foundations of the earth and forms the spirit of man within him.”

In 2 Timothy 3:1 the Bible says that “in the last days difficult times shall come.” The Greek for difficult times also means hard times, grievous times, perilous times. This means that these times will be extremely difficult for everyone, including Christians. In verse 12 Paul goes on to say, “All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” For those who pursue a Christian walk, these days will indeed be difficult, grievous, perilous.

Who would have thought that young parents would need to be so concerned about what is being taught to their youngest children in the classroom? Who would have thought that nuclear weapons would be in the hands of terrorists? Who would have thought that preachers could be arrested for speaking the gospel of Christ? All this and much more.

One must ask; given these times, how must we live, what can we do? The answer is not political, not social, it is spiritual. We must realise that all human beings are created with a body, soul, and spirit. It is this third part that is most neglected, the most mysterious. Yet it is the most critical part of our being. Because it is with this part that we can contact and contain God, because God Himself is Spirit. (John 4:24)

This is not to say that we must become “religious.” No, because religion is most often an outward activity without the direct touch with the living God.

What we really seek in our innermost being is to know God. For to know God is to know the answer to all the questions. And it provides the believer with the highest satisfaction. As the Lord Jesus said, “He who believes into me, as the Scripture said, out of his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water.” (John 7:37)

The difficult times have come. So why not believe? Christ lives. He is real. And His love is unlimited. Open your heart and ask Him to fill you. “Lord, I turn my heart to You. I want to know You and I ask You to live in me.”

If you have already believed, this is a perfect time to renew your relationship with the Lord and spend time with Him, to develop your pursuit of Christ. (Phil. 3:12.)