โAnd when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.โ (Luke 21:28)
We are living in turbulent times. Around us, things seem to be changing on a daily basis. Things we never expected to happen are occurring on a regular basis. If we are not careful, it is easy to become overwhelmed by all that is going on around us. What should we as believers be doing in these days? When He walked on earth, our Lord spoke to His disciples concerning the last days. Iโm not sure if these are the last days, but the world around us sure seems to hold all the indications of being near that time. So, letโs listen to the Master as He instructed His followers concerning these times.
First, we should Give Heed โ โWhen these things begin to come to pass.โ We must be aware of what is happening around us. What are โthese thingsโ to which the Lord was referring? The preceding passage unfolds it for us. Confusion (8): โTake heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ.โ Conflict (9-10): โWhen ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified.โ Calamities (11): โGreat earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences.โ Condemnation (16-17): โAnd ye shall be hated of all men for my nameโs sake.โ Crises (26) โMenโs hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth.โ We must give heed to what is happening around us. While we certainly will not be benefited by incessantly following what is going on, we must not hide our heads in the sand and ignore what is happening. We can be aware that things are shaping up just as the Bible has declared they would. We are watching prophecy unfold before our very eyes, and we have a front-row seat to the action! Yes, we must give heed to what is occurring.
Next, we should Gaze Heavenward โ โThen look up.โ It is important that while we are aware of what is unfolding around us, this is not to be the primary focus of our attention. If we look around, we will get discouraged. Our situation will overwhelm us. If we look behind, we will be disappointed. The failures of our past will haunt us. If we look ahead, we will be distressed. The uncertainty and ever-changing conditions will cause us to be overtaken by apprehension and fear. But if we look up, we will be delighted! Looking unto Jesusโ (Hebrews 12:2). He will never disappoint; He will never desert; and He will never be defeated!
And so, we should Get Happy โ โAnd lift up your heads.โ Donโt be downheartedโits time to get happy! This is confirmation โ things are unfolding just as He promised they would. He has never been wrong before, and this will not be the first time. I may not understand what is happening, but He does, and I can trust Him. This confirmation leads to jubilation. My heart is overflowing with peace and joy knowing that He is in control. As the chorus we used to sing says:
Iโm happy in the Lord anyway,
And it really doesnโt matter, What comes my way today.
Iโm going to wear a smile, Hold my head up high and say,
โIโm happy in the Lord anyway.โ
And this results in anticipation. Something is about to happen! Just as a childโs excitement increases as Christmas Day approaches, so for the child of God our excitement is growing every passing day.
Because we are Going Home โ โYour redemption draweth nigh.โ Every day that passes brings us one day closer to His glorious appearing when He shall call us home. Paul lays it out for us in I Thessalonians 4:16-18. There will be a return: โFor the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shoutโ (16). There will be a resurrection: โThe dead in Christ shall riseโ (16). There will be a rapture: โThen weโฆ shall be caught upโ (17). There will be a reunion: โTogether with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the airโ (17). And there will be rejoicing: โSo shall we ever be with the Lord.โ As Walter Harrah wrote:
No more night, No more pain,
No more tears, never crying again;
And praises to the Great I Am;
We will live in the light of the risen Lamb.
Letโs go about this week with our hands busy in the service of the King and our eyes looking upward for His soon appearing: โBlessed is that servant, whom his Lord when he cometh shall find so doingโ (Matthew 24:46).
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Craig Burcham, GSBC Chairman of the Bible Department
Bro. Burcham serves as the Chairman of the Bible Department at Golden State Baptist College. Prior to coming to GSBC, he served as a missionary with his family in Japan for a number of years and then pastored in Missouri. Bro. Burcham also teaches an adult Sunday school class at NVBC.
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