BOSTON TERRORISM AND FAILING HEARTS
Luke 21:25-26 ¶ “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
It seems like every week we move on to the next crisis. Not only are the crisis coming more frequently, over time, they have gotten more bizarre, complicated and dangerous. We are just getting started with the trial of “the Joker” from the movie massacre in Colorado when we have moved on to the next madman or madmen in Boston ( I almost forgot the tormented soul who killed the five and six year olds in Sandy Hook). Now we are dealing with “radicalized” Muslim college students who seem to have no fear of death and no respect for our laws. Have we entered into a time when bombing will be seen on the streets of middle America? Have we entered into a time where this becomes the new normal? You might think that would be impossible but not so long ago we thought (and hoped) Columbine would be an isolated incident but fourteen years later there seems to be no end in sight for school shootings. I am sure this is some of what Jesus was talking about in His prophesy about failing hearts in the last days. This is not a time for the weak of heart. In the 1800’s Albert Barnes spoke of being terrorized by the events of the last days. Check this out.
“Men’s hearts failing them. This is an expression denoting the highest terror. The word rendered failing commonly denotes to die, and here it means that the terror would be so great that men would faint and be ready to die in view of the approaching calamities. And if this was true in respect to the judgments about to come upon Judea, how much more so will it be in the day of judgment, when the wicked will be arraigned before the Son of God, and when they shall have before them the prospect of the awful sufferings of hell—the pains and woes which shall continue for ever! It will be no wonder, then, if they call on the rocks and mountains to hide them from the face of God, and if their hearts sink within them at the prospect of eternal suffering.”
In the same passage that Jesus referred to what we call being terrorized as hearts failing for fear He gave us an incredible word of comfort. He said, “Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”
For the Christian, the worst of times puts us in touch with the best of times. Instead of our hearts failing for fear at the specter of increased terrorism, our hearts are filled with joy anticipating the glory of His coming kingdom.
3 thoughts on “BOSTON TERRORISM AND FAILING HEARTS”
Amen. Like the Hebrews in the land of Goshen we are untouched by the plagues of God’s judgement, we Have His peace through the storms of life, and we overcome when persecuted; we are the only people who continue to grow stronger when attacked relentlessly.
It is a marvelous thing to see the flower of our faith bloom where others would tremble and die. Our God works all for our good, we cannot loose; we cannot be dissuaded, nor can we be stopped- for the power in our lives is His, the glory is his, and the victory we find abiding in His glorious presence is matchless.
2Co 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
2Co 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
2Co 4:8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
2Co 4:9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
2Co 4:10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
Hallelujah, come Lord. No matter what happens in this world its all because of Him who f2f odd for us on the cross, that we are protected and safely secure IN THE NAME OF JESUS. Thank you LORD, our ROCK..
Blessings Pastor Frank, with Love… 🙂 Nothing but Power and Glory..
Awesome word !!!!!!!