I want to share with you some strong words from the scriptures which 1 I have been reading recently, especially from Revelation 6.
In the past few weeks we have seen that red horse and its rider, with power “to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another”. We have seen that black horse, too, with people starving. And that pale horse whose name is “Death, with Hell following”. Ruthless men want to take what peace we have from the earth again, and fill it with war. We have seen so many images on screen of multitudes all around the world screaming for justice, or vengeance, or just “sounding an alarm,” for “the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand” (Joel 2:1).
I have heard of so many of my sisters in the Caribbean who have lost jobs and livelihood since the war began. Some are quite despondent and disheartened.
My message to you is: Read and find your strength and comfort from the “word of God”. Maintain your testimony (Rev. 6:9). That was Jeremiah’s message when things got tough in his time: “Who hath stood in the counsel of the LORD, and hath perceived and heard his word? Who hath marked his word, and heard it?” (Jer. 23:18).
Pray without ceasing, especially the prayer of Revelation 6:10, a prayer for God to change this unjust world. You do not need to pray in any formal way, just turn your thoughts to God while you are working, or maybe wishing you could be working!
Pray for God’s truth to be spread wider. The persecuted ones in Revelation 6:11 were told that they should “rest” or “wait” (NIV) for a “little season” for their redemption, sustained by the knowledge that God has still more “fellow-servants” to call, and who will respond to the gospel of peace. It is surely like that right now.
One commentator on TV said that since September 11 more people in the world have been praying than ever before. That is a wonderful opportunity for us, because it shows that some people are perplexed, and need hope and assurance. We need not be surprised, for Jesus told us that it must be so (Luke 21:25-26). Let us tell our family and friends and neighbors why we are not troubled like most people by the dreadful events coming on the earth. Today I read the story in Mark 6 of how the disciples were on the sea, “toiling in rowing” like you and 1. They thought that because Jesus was not visibly with them in the boat he did not understand their plight. The lesson they learned was that even though Jesus was far away out of sight, communing with his Heavenly Father, they were safe.
So, sisters, do not fret. Do not give in to easy options to solve your problems, like turning to depend on immoral men who will only lead you into trouble. “Be of good cheer; be not afraid” (Mark 6:50). With Christ in the vessel, we can smile at the storm.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One