BIBLE PASSAGE:
At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each
other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because
of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one
who stands firm to the end will be saved.
(Matthew 24:10-13)
MEDITATION:
If you are like me, you probably like to read things
which are brief and to the point.
Normally, the Lord sends me brief devotionals to distribute,
but this one is more lengthy (not an overburden though).
I believe His message is especially important for us to hear at this time.
There is a cloud of darkness sweeping over the world today
which is creating an atmosphere of hopelessness for many.
Pandemics, lawlessness, earthquakes, tsunamis, corruption, sin,
and rejection of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are all increasing.
However, for Christians there is a growing crescendo of enthusiasm
and excitement in anticipation of the promised return of Jesus Christ.
But the “fly in the ointment” for Christians is a sadness
that all those who have rejected God’s invitation
to salvation will suffer an eternity of agony.
Christians care about lost souls and have a desire to see every person receive
salvation from the Lord and be invited to ‘sit at the table’ with God in Heaven.
They also want to see lost people enjoy life more
here on earth by being ‘connected’ to the Lord.
These troubling times can trigger many different emotions in people,
but the scriptures tell us that we should not be surprised when we see
terrible times arising in the world.
The scriptures also give us some indicators that the return of Christ is getting nearer.
But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be
lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient
to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous,
without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash,
conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form
of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.
(2 Timothy 3:1-5)
We are not being told to have no concerns for “such people”,
but to avoid being subjected to their influence on our own lives.
We were born with a sinful nature and as a result, if we are in the
presence of sinfulness, we are vulnerable to the power it can have over us.
Christians should always continue to pray for the lost people to find Jesus.
Evil can be victorious over good, easier than good can win over evil.
As an example, put a rotten apple in a basket with good apples.
The rotten apple doesn’t become ‘un-rotten’,
but the good apples near it start turning bad too.
During this time of turmoil, some will turn to God with a new
enthusiasm and dedication, but those driven by evilness
will mock God, and ridicule the people who believe in Him.
Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come,
scoffing and following their own evil desires. (2 Peter 3:3)
The scriptures provide us with valuable information
of what we can expect as the return of Christ gets nearer.
In Proverbs 28, we are given some examples of the impact
of evilness and its effect on all people
(along with encouragement for the followers of Christ).
The wicked flee though no one pursues,
but the righteous are as bold as a lion. (Proverbs 28:1)
Scripture tells us that, as righteous people who belong to the Lord,
we should be bold about our faith.
We are not to continue as “closet” Christians, but we should wear our faith
proudly for all to see, so they will know that we are followers of the Lord.
We are to remain bold in the face of opposition,
even when some ridicule and try to discourage us.
The scriptures encourage us to let our faith shine for all to see.
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.”
(Matthew 5:14)
Those who do not belong to the Lord will live a life of fear.
Why? Because as wicked people, they know the potential of
wickedness in other people, and fear what they may do to them.
What a terrible way to live out one’s life on earth.
We are given the choice of living a life in miserable fear,
or we can live a life of boldness in love with our Creator.
When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers, but a ruler
with discernment and knowledge maintains order. (Proverbs 28:2)
When a nation is in turmoil, it is easy to see good and evil on display.
Why?
Because there is constant churn of turmoil
as evilness seeks to overpower goodness.
Additionally, there are many flavors of evilness
which are in competition with each other to gain control.
In its attempt to seize control, evilness will look for ways to divide
people and create rebellion in the form of lawlessness and disrespect.
On the other hand, goodness is driven by discernment
of what is evil, and knowledge of what is good.
As a result, goodness knows the value of maintaining order,
and how it requires a group of people who are dedicated to
preventing evil from seizing control and ruling over the people.
Evilness has a thirst for more, and when it is left unchecked,
it extends its boundaries (which means it only gets worse, becomes
more perverted, and threatens the hope and security of others).
Those who forsake instruction praise the wicked,
but those who heed it resist them. (Proverbs 28:4)
The scriptures provide us with instructions for living a life of
goodness without being attracted to, and gravitating toward, evilness.
But look what happens whenever people ignore, ridicule,
or dispute these instructions – they praise the wicked.
Not only do they praise them, but they become followers of them and
in essence, become lemmings, who will do whatever the wicked
request of them, even when they know (or at least feel) it is wrong.
They choose to ‘turn off’ their internal alarms which warn them
they are exceeding the boundaries established by their Creator.
Conversely, those who read God’s Word and believe His
instructions, will not succumb to the evilness around them.
It is not something easily accomplished in one’s own strength,
but God has blessed us with a Helper (Holy Spirit) who
resides in us and defends us against evil’s temptations.
Evildoers do not understand what is right,
but those who seek the Lord understand it fully. (Proverbs 28:5)
Through the reading of God’s Word, those who seek the Lord
will know and understand what is right in the eyes of God.
They also know the benefits (now and eternally)
of following God and doing what is right.
However, those who are evildoers (or follow evilness and evildoers),
have lost all concept of what is right.
So what do they do?
They become more and more evil in all that they do and say.
Additionally, they want to drag all others (including those
following righteousness) into their world of evil.
Why? Because as more people agree with their evil ways,
they feel their evilness is validated as the new normal,
and it numbs any remaining feelings of guilt.
Better the poor whose walk is blameless
than the rich whose ways are perverse. (Proverbs 28:6)
The scriptures paint a different picture of the rich and poor
than how they are viewed from a worldly perspective.
We are told that the poor who strive for righteousness become
richer than the rich, who have allowed wealth to pervert their lives.
Not all poor people strive for righteousness, and
not all rich become perverted in their ways, but there is
a risk anytime wealth gains control of an individual.
We can see how that has happened to some members of Congress
where wealth has perverted the decisions of those who
are controlled by a desire to attain more for themselves.
As an example, why would anyone believe that eliminating
a police force would have a positive impact on lawlessness?
Why would an elected leader spend $15,000 on pens to be used
for signing a document, and have them delivered on a silver platter?
More importantly, why would some members of Congress
want to eradicate all references of our Creator
and approve the murdering of His creations (the unborn).
We could list many more examples, but these few
are enough for us to see the truth in God’s Word
when it tells us that the ways of the rich can become perverted.
Christians have a responsibility to exercise their voting privileges
and remove all perverted representatives and senators from office.
If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction,
even their prayers are detestable. (Proverbs 28:9)
How does God feel about those who ignore His instructions?
The scriptures tell us that He is repulsed by their prayers.
When we read this verse, more than likely we only think
of lost people, but there are Christians who are
also turning a deaf ear to some of His instructions.
Why? Because they don’t like how some of God’s commands
will impact their lives and desires, so they justify
and rationalize their choices to disobey them.
Obviously His instructions are not a smorgasbord
where we can choose to obey only the ones we like.
Anytime we have ‘selected obedience’,
we have not totally surrendered to His Will.
Whoever leads the upright along an evil path
will fall into their own trap,
but the blameless will receive a good inheritance. (Proverbs 28:10)
There are elected officials in Congress who want to lead the upright
along an evil path filled with senseless murders of the unborn children,
creating an environment of lawlessness, and encouraging hate between
groups of people based on race, religion, and financial status.
Some are involved in fostering and funding these efforts.
Whenever the righteous stand firm in their faith and refuse to be
manipulated, they will ‘receive a good inheritance’ of everlasting life.
The scriptures tell us that those who are bent toward evilness
will become victims of their own divisiveness.
It makes sense, doesn’t it?
If a person manipulates others, they become suspicious of others doing the
same to them, and consequently will struggle finding rest, peace, and joy.
The rich are wise in their own eyes;
one who is poor and discerning sees how deluded they are. (Proverbs 28:11)
Those who have used their elected positions to increase their own wealth,
rather than serve the people who elected them, will develop a mentality
that they have all the answers, and their solutions are best for all people
(regardless of how demented they are in their thoughts).
However, the scriptures tell us that people who have been
blessed with discernment will see through their evil schemes
(and hopefully vote them out of office as soon as possible).
When the righteous triumph, there is great elation; but when the
wicked rise to power, people go into hiding. (Proverbs 28:12)
This verse paints a picture of what we are witnessing in our world today.
When a leader is focused on making things better for the people,
we see a rise in the economy, security, and welfare of the community,
and it creates an optimistic attitude in everyone.
However, when the wicked are in charge, we see destruction,
carnage, divisiveness, economic downturn, and a rise in lawlessness,
which causes people to go into hiding.
Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper,
but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
(Proverbs 28:13)
We all make mistakes and wish we could undo them, but we
cannot ‘unscramble an egg’ that has already been broken and stirred.
So what is the answer for us to find peace when we fail?
We are told that we need to confess and renounce (give up) them.
We are witnessing the sins of elected officials who no longer
hide their sins, but put them on display for all to see,
and basically wear them as a badge of pride.
Many have increased their wealth through sinful actions,
so why do the scriptures say they ‘will not prosper’?
Prosperity is not measured by financial status alone.
True prosperity includes things like peace, joy, kindness,
gentleness, faithfulness, goodness, and love.
These are the things that make life enjoyable and
provide us with the valuable assets that money cannot buy.
Blessed is the one who always trembles before God,
but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble. (Proverbs 28:14)
God will bless those who have a respectful awe for Him and His principles.
Conversely those who disrespect the God of the universe
will find themselves living a life of turmoil and unrest.
Wealth, pride, and status cannot provide rest for those alienated
from God, and especially those who are encouraging violations of His
commandments (through speeches, writings, or enacting laws).
Like a roaring lion or a charging bear
is a wicked ruler over a helpless people. (Proverbs 28:15)
Whenever wicked leaders are in charge,
the people will suffer the results of their decisions.
Since the wicked are living a life of frustration, lack of peace,
and continuous turmoil, they have a desire
to make the lives of others miserable as well.
The old adage, “misery loves company”
is applicable to their attitude and actions.
Instead of turning from their evil ways, and turning to the One who
can provide the peace and joy they desire, they choose instead
to find new levels of evilness to impose on others.
The one whose walk is blameless is kept safe, but the one whose
ways are perverse will fall into the pit. (Proverbs 28:18)
In the midst of turmoil, there is good news
for those who try to live a blameless life of uprightness:
they will find safety in the Lord’s presence with them daily.
Troubles may come, but God gives His followers a special ability
for coping with them which cannot be found in any other source.
Conversely, those living a perverted life,
will not experience this gift from God,
and will suffer in the pit of turmoil and hopelessness.
Regardless of their best efforts to soothe themselves,
they will not be able to escape the pit they are in.
Their only hope is to confess their sins, turn from them,
and invite the Lord into their lives.
Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who
chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty. (Proverbs 28:19)
The scriptures are clear about finding a path out of poverty: go to work!
We can see the efforts of wicked leaders to keep people in poverty
(and add to their numbers), by their attempts to provide everything
for those who can work, but refuse to put forth any effort.
It’s all about personal power and manipulating people
whenever evil leaders are in control.
A faithful person will be richly blessed,
but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished. (Proverbs 28:20)
Developing wealth is not a bad thing, but when it is our main focus
and drive, the important things of life are replaced with
a greediness, which leads to all kinds of demented actions.
We see this is true whenever we look at
some of the elected officials in Congress.
They may be enjoying their greed and power now,
but God has told us that their actions will not go unnoticed,
and there will be a day of reckoning for all who choose to
chase worldly desires (and they will have no appeals by clever lawyers).
The stingy are eager to get rich
and are unaware that poverty awaits them. (Proverbs 28:21)
Some of those who have their minds set on becoming wealthy
are stingy with their time and possessions.
They are not concerned with the benefits of others,
but only what benefits themselves.
We can see the results of this mentality
when we look at the wealth of some in Congress.
Their salaries alone could not provide them
with the level of wealth they have attained, and
the longer they are in office, the more wealthy they become.
However those same people are sinking deeper into spiritual poverty and
are unaware of the fate that awaits them at the end of their earthly journey.
The greedy stir up conflict,
but those who trust in the Lord will prosper. (Proverbs 28:25)
Greediness causes all kinds of problems.
Why? Because other people are a means for gaining more wealth.
At one time people ran for positions in Congress
because they wanted to make things better for everyone.
Some still do, but there are many who have discovered
how to use their position to benefit themselves and
have disregarded why they were elected (to benefit all people),
They try to frame everything to make it appear they are
concerned about the good of the people, but they are not.
And what are the results?
Increased conflict.
A democracy is built and enhanced by listening to the voices of the majority.
That doesn’t mean that minority needs are not important as well, but when
conflict arises, it is easy to see that trying to please everyone, pleases nobody.
As an example, overtaxing one group in an effort to ‘spread the wealth’
is unfair and does not consider the majority as a whole.
It discourages those with wealth from investing in businesses
which will provide jobs for others who are less fortunate.
The result?
The wealthy become angry at being treated unfairly,
the ones without jobs continue to be without them, and even worse,
those with jobs lose them, because businesses close and new job
producing businesses are not created whenever there are no investors.
Congress should be looking for ways to encourage,
and not discourage, investors.
If they were seriously concerned about the people instead of
‘social engineering’, greed, and wealth, they would look to encourage others.
But their own greediness has clouded their thinking
and they promote an atmosphere of conflict over cooperation.
When they have no interest in their Creator and His desires for His
creations, they develop a strong hatred for anything related to God,
and want to eliminate all references of Him from society.
The good news for believers is, regardless of any elected officials
attempts to remove God, those who continue to trust in Him
will prosper with an increasing spiritual maturity.
Those who trust in themselves are fools,
but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe. (Proverbs 28:26)
The scriptures warn us of the dangers
of trusting in ourselves and not in the Lord.
God wants our dependence and not our independence.
When we become independent, we get the idea that we do not need God
(the One who created us and knows our needs better than we do).
God’s Word tells us that is foolish thinking, and we can
see how the lack of wisdom is detrimental to individuals,
and also to those impacted by their decisions.
However, when we are dependent on God,
we acknowledge His presence and develop a trust
that He will provide what we need for enjoying a better life.
Our increasing spiritual wisdom keeps us safe from foolish thinking.
When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding; but when
the wicked perish, the righteous thrive. (Proverbs 28:28)
The last verse in Proverbs 28 provides
a good description of America past and America present.
When the non-wicked were in Congress, righteousness prevailed.
People generally were friendly and willing to help each other.
Sure, there were some times of conflict, but they were
usually resolved without a raging and destructive anger.
Church attendance was common throughout many of the families
across the United States because God’s presence was acknowledged
and people were thankful for His blessings.
The government encouraged the people
to include God and to give Him His proper recognition
(Example: “In God We Trust” was added to currency).
However, ‘when the wicked rise to power’,
we see the destructive impact it has on society.
Conflict increases, anger increases, destruction increases, laws
become distorted, fear increases, and people often retreat to their own
silos out of fear and skepticism of the dangers of mingling with others.
Due to the fear of possible scams designed to harm others,
people become less likely to help those who appear to be in need.
And now, we are witnessing the results when groups
dedicated to maintaining law and order are removed.
Whenever restraints are removed, evilness increases,
and its appetite becomes greater.
ACTION:
Pray,
“Heavenly Father, I pray that You would restore our nation and remove
evil leaders from their positions. Help us to return to You and to welcome
You back into our lives and our country. I pray that You would pierce the
hearts of those bent toward evilness so that they will humble themselves
and come to You for salvation. Help me to be bold about my faith and to
not ‘hide it under a basket’. Teach me how to share my faith in a manner
that will encourage others to seek You, Your Son, and Your salvation.
Thank You for being my strength and encouragement at all times”.
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