As the Earth Burns

By Hal Lindsey

 

The Bible gives us clear signs regarding the end of this age.  With those signs being fulfilled on every side, the days of business as usual have gone away.  

 

These are not ordinary times.  Lethal strains of Islam, a primary destabilizing force in the world, have now taken over large portions of once-Christian Europe.  Tensions in the Middle East cannot be contained there.  They threaten to explode into a third world war.  Meanwhile, Europe seems intent on empowering Iran — the most dangerous nation on earth.

 

When nuclear war looms, we can no longer afford to be obsessed with the private lives of Great Britain’s royal family.  As people starve in Yemen, most Christians don’t even realize it’s happening.  But many can tell you exactly what the Kardashians are up to.

 

Wealthy countries around the world are raising a generation with an unprecedented number of emotionally stunted individuals.  Many of them can’t look one another in the eye, don’t have the patience to read books, and live their lives within the confines of a video screen small enough to fit in a pocket.

 

I’m not saying we should make the world’s problems the constant focus of our attention.  But I am saying that we need to be aware, and realize that we can’t go on with business as usual.  More than ever, we need to draw close to the Lord.  We need to change our focus from worldly trivialities to things eternal.

 

Nehemiah 8:10 says, “The joy of the Lord is your strength” — not football, or the latest must-see TV show.  I’m not condemning football or other forms of entertainment, but we can’t be obsessed with them.  Those things will not give you strength in troubled times.

 

Philippians 4:8 says, “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things.”

 

What can we dwell on that is always “true… honorable… right… pure… lovely… of good repute…” along with excellent and praiseworthy?  Perhaps the question is not “what,” but “Who.”  Only Jesus.  Keep Him at the center of your thoughts.  Isaiah 26:3 says, “You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You.”

 

In times like these, we need to draw close to Him.  Business as usual is over.  The world cries out for the answer that we have in Jesus.  We will not give them that Answer by mirroring their actions and attitudes.  The time is short.  Let’s focus our thoughts on Him, talk about Him, and let Him keep our minds in perfect peace. 

 

How do you keep your mind on Christ? Ask Him to help. Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”