One thing I have always noticed about the Gospel message - the good news that Jesus came to offer the world - is that it was designed by God to prevail, no matter what is going on around us in any given generation. In the midst of chaos, the Word of God will always be victorious. Now this is a tall order actually, and if we truly believe it, it changes the way we think about the importance of our faith walk.
However, when the world sees this unique trust and faith, sometimes it reacts negatively. Christian persecution still goes on today, and in many countries around the world, if you are caught with a Bible on your person, the situation can become dangerous. I personally believe that we witness chaos in our midst in our own country, when Christian churches are singled out in the news media as places to "stay away" from (so as not to contract the coronavirus for example). This theme was recounted on the nightly news for about three weeks a while back. But God is still in charge, and many (if not most) of our evangelical churches have opened back up to some degree (like most other businesses). God's spirit has prevailed again; the Gospel Message is continuing to flourish.
In the midst of fear and civil unrest, hatred and violence, apostasy and lukewarm living - God's message still wins. It often doesn't seem like it, but I think an honest accounting of the evidence still points toward a loving creator. Consider for a moment three things that I think the Bible has promised us in the midst of dark times.
First, we are promised that God will help us to overcome. John 16:33 recounts that Jesus says, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
People can take away many different meanings from this, but I believe Jesus was telling us here that there will be times in our lives when the 'sheep will scatter.' We should expect this - it is what he was trying to explain to his disciples. Times when things look bad in the natural realm. But in the midst of this - God continues to provide for and guide His flock.
Second, we are promised that God will comfort us in times of trouble. Phil 4:6-7 says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
These are Paul's final exhortations to the church in Philippi. One of his last chances to make sure that God's people remember that if you pray regularly, God fills your anxious nature with peace. The type of peace that surpasses understanding. I believe this is why the faithful believer can have a calm demeanor, even while on their deathbed. Others around them cannot figure this out, but it remains true. They witness God's work in that individual's life, and they see the supernatural peace working in tandem with a lifelong faith, resulting in a sense of spiritual rest during those final days of life. Ask any Hospice worker to contrast the dying experience between a faithful believer and everyone else. The difference is often astonishing.
Finally, we are promised that God will preserve the church during dark times. Matthew 16:18 says, "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it."
This is part of a discussion that the Son of God had with Peter about what it means to be the Messiah. Peter correctly asserts that Jesus is of a Godly origin, and in so doing, that very affirmation was recorded for us to study two-thousand years later. God tells Peter (and us) that no matter what occurs, the church will ultimately win. Maybe not a church building or a denomination ... but the kingdom of heaven here on Earth. There will be no force - either naturally occurring or supernatural - that can fully stop what God has decided to do in the heart of every believer. Let that sink in for a moment. In the midst of all the chaos happening in the world today, some form of church will always survive.
Years ago I was traveling home from a family reunion on the Interstate with my wife and kids in the car. It was February in Iowa, so we had our fair share of snow and ice that day. As it happened, one of the overpasses on the highway had black ice on it. Police cars were trying to slow vehicles down as they sped over the hill and onto the bridges, but many didn't heed the warning in time. More than a few cars hit the ditch that night. As soon as I saw the flashing lights from the squad cars, I began to pump my brakes lightly. My car began to fishtail left and right. For what seemed like an eternity, the road was in control of our car, and not the driver. Talk about a scary situation.
During that precarious time, I remember praying to God desperately. I had small children in the car with me. My wife was in the passenger seat. Minutes later, after I had regained control of the vehicle, we slowed to a crawl on the road and began rejoicing that everyone was still alive. The point is that things looked really bad in the natural, but God was still in charge. He still helped us to overcome, to seek His comfort, and to preserve the little slice of the kingdom of heaven that was riding in the car that night. He had other plans for us. Plans to lead me faithfully to eventually pastor a church. Plans for my wife to become a first lady. Plans for my children to grow up believers. Our fate would not be sealed that night on the road.
In the midst of trouble, some people look around at the circumstances and shrug their shoulders. Others look up to God. Looking up is better.
Many of you will remember a public figure named Fred Rogers. He was on television for quite some time and had a hit children's show called 'Mr. Roger's Neighborhood' that ran for an astonishing thirty years. During his weekly show, Fred would sometimes talk about maintaining a hopeful attitude in times of trial. He had a way of speaking to children in a way they could understand, while at the same time communicating to parents what they needed to hear also. I believe he was a modern day saint in many ways.
Mr. Rogers always used to say, "In times of sadness and confusion, look around for the helpers." The import here is that no matter what is going on outside, there will be someone, somewhere who is willing to help. Someone who will help us to overcome, to comfort, and to preserve what is good and righteous. This is exactly what God desires us to do through His church. We should be the helpers; we should be healers of broken hearts and lost people. A place where communities can point and say look there, I see the helpers. Through them, God has comforted me.
The Christian church should be there in the midst. We should point people to a loving God. A God who makes promises ... the kind of promises that don't get broken. Promises that include a way for us to overcome hardship, and to endure and preserve the faithful and true church. Praise God that we might always be able to look around and find the helpers. Better yet if we are helping people ourselves.
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