Do Not Be Alarmed

Perhaps you have found yourself wondering about the state of the world and our country given the events of the past few days.  For so long, Canada has been a safe and peaceful country where freedom reigns.  Suddenly after several shocking events designed to induce terror occurred, our sense of normalcy has been rocked.  “Acts of terror only happen in other places,” we’ve told ourselves, but no longer.  This is now part of the reality we as Canadian will face every day.  While the threat still seems distant for me living in small town Saskatchewan, it still weighs heavy on my heart, especially for my children.

In moments like these, it is easy to get caught up in a spirit of fear or worry or misplaced anger.  But it is also in moments like these that God’s Word speaks to us most powerfully as we are reminded that “God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7).  Much of the New Testament was written to Christians who were enduring persecution because of their faith.  As we look around us today, it is hard not to see the threat of persecution growing each day.  In the past week alone, I’ve heard of numerous examples: in Texas where sermons were subpoenaed by the mayor of Houston and at the CALC Convention this past weekend where we heard of the struggle of Trinity Western University in opening a Christian law school.  

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See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet...Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for me name's sake

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Jesus reminds us of what is to come, “And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars.  See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet.  For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places.  All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.  Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake” (Matthew 24:6-9). 

We as Christians are to be alert; we’ve received warning of all that is to come.  And yet, in this precarious time marked with uncertainty and fear, we trust in Jesus telling us not to be alarmed.  The events this week and the events taking place around the world are not merely about democracy or nations’ power but about the in breaking of the Kingdom of God; a Kingdom so feared and despised by this world that it will stop at nothing to halt its advance.  This is ultimately a spiritual battle between the Redeemer of the world and everything opposed to Him.  But the Goodnews to which Christians around the world cling is that God’s Kingdom prevails (Rev. 21-22), it will not be stopped.  It will be established bringing peace, bringing healing, bringing wholeness, and life eternal. 

And so, as we continue to reflect on the shocking events of this week we should not be surprised to experience more persecution in the future.  But as we do, we can face the future not with fear but with but with the strength of Christ as we endure for His name’s sake. 

Lord, let Your Kingdom come: in our nation; in the hearts of those who seek our destruction; in the families of those mourning loved ones lost; and in our own hearts, that Your peace and strength would reign. Amen.