Thought for Friday, 8 March 2024

 

Isaiah 24:4-5

  The earth dries up and withers,
    the world languishes and withers,
    the heavens languish with the earth.

  The earth is defiled by its people;
    they have disobeyed the laws,
violated the statutes
    and broken the everlasting covenant.

 

I read these verses the other night and it struck me just how true they are right now. There is a lot of talk about global warming and world pollution, which may or may not be reversable. If our lifestyles and throwaway society are to blame, it might be possible to slow it down enough to find a way to reverse it. 

 

However, if it is not because of our misuse of our environment, perhaps the time set by our Lord God is closer than we think. Everywhere we look there is more and more evidence of bible prophecies being fulfilled. Disrespect for parents and elders, refusal to adhere to rules of society, violence increasing, wars springing up all around the world. Babies and children are not safe from abuse, either mental or physical. They are not even safe from their parents, the very people who are meant to treasure and protect them. Crime is escalating in every sphere of society. The list goes on and on.

 

Churches are closing for various reasons but one of the main ones, in my opinion, is the number of ministers losing faith and looking to other ‘religions’ to follow. There are so many false teachers with mega churches which are leading people away from the straight path that our Saviour showed us.

 

This means that people sometimes cannot have access to regular church services. How do they get their spiritual sustenance? Many may be starved of this essential food.

 

We must be even more vigilant than ever, watching for those who are struggling with their faith, to step up and ask if they need help. Sometimes all it takes is a chat and a prayer, to make things a little bit better.  Maybe this could become a regular cuppa and a wee talk. From little acorns and all that.

 

My old standby, let us get on our knees (if we can) and speak to God, He is the one who is aware of all our needs, in this world and the one we are all looking forward to, with Him. We have got the command that Jesus left us with, let us try even harder to make as many disciples as we can. 

 

Prayer

 

Almighty God, thank You that we have each other. All of us reading this thought, have You, and we are so blessed that You have us in the palm of Your hands. Give us the urge to seek out those who are doubting their faith, that perhaps we can strengthen them again for the journey we are all on. With You and Your Son and Spirit, we can surely go some way to reversing the fall way of our brothers and sisters, to lead some back to You. Please lead us to those we can help and protect those who are being persecuted. Let all be according to Your will, in Jesus beloved name, amen.