With all that is going on around us and around the world it gives one to pause and wonder what is really going on? Jesus often described the End Times as being “birth pangs.” Just as labor pains grow stronger and closer together, God will allow escalation in trials of all kinds to bring men to Christ. In fact, the purpose of the Tribulation itself is to bring pressure for men to surrender to Jesus and find salvation. But is our current pandemic what Jesus is talking about? What about the locusts in Africa?

News headlines read: ‘Unprecedented threat’: New locust outbreak threatens millions in eastern Africa.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people;” ~ 2 Chronicles 7:13 

“And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.” ~ Revelation 9:3 

News headlines read: The coronavirus pandemic could threaten global food supply, UN warns. 

“And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” ~ Revelation 18:4 

There is no doubt something powerful is at work here on earth today. Whether it be a sign of the Rapture coming or just a warning to turn back to God, we must take it seriously. But not to the extent of self-isolation and depression, giving up all hope.

 “Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”  ~Nehemiah 8:10~

In these uncertain days and weeks, we have been going through, we need to know we can still have joy in our lives. The apostle Paul is the classic example of having joy in your life in troubled times. In his letter to the Philippians “joy” and “rejoice” are mentioned 12 times in his short letter written while under house arrest in Rome with an uncertain future ahead of him. Do you feel your future may be uncertain?

We too are under “house arrest” during these dark days. But we can still rejoice. If you are a Christian today, God has cared for you and made you a citizen of Heaven. He will continue to care for you and sustain you with the resources of Heaven itself. This makes good reason for having joy in the Lord today.

So don’t fret about today because we know what will happen tomorrow…. A place beside Jesus Christ in Heaven.

GLORY BE TO GOD!