Dear MPC friends,
As we move into 2020, I pray that God’s blessing is upon you.
2020 seems to be shaping into being an interesting time. As we start off the year we’ve got all sorts of things in the country going on. We’ve got an impeachment that, as I’m writing this, is now overshadowed by speculation as to whether we are going to war with Iran. Also, we can already hear the hysteria flowing from various avenues concerning the upcoming presidential election. Further, as it is 2020, numerologists are excitedly making predictions as the date has two twenties in it, as if that actually means something (somehow the date is actually a twenty-two and that’s really a four and some such nonsense). Then, there is the prognosticating drivel of the end of the world coming in 2020, despite Jesus clearly saying that no-one but the Father knows when that event will happen (Mt 24:36). I could go on and on.
As it is, taking a look around us, looking at what is close-by and what is fed to us on the news each day, it strikes me that the world is quite insane. However, this is no new thing. If you’ve read the Scriptures at all, you know the world has been quite insane since the fall (Gn 3). So, what we see going on around us should be no surprise, for there is nothing new under the sun (Eccl 1:9).
The Bible’s answer to this insane world is…? Yes, you guessed it. The answer is Jesus. He is our only hope. He is our secure hope. In him we have life and can even have joy even when the world is going up in flames all around us (Ps 94:19; Hab 3:17-18; Rom 8:18-21; Jas 1:2; 1 Pt 1:6-8; etc.). This is because, even though the world is in a riot of rebellion against God (insanity being part and parcel with that rebellion), we know and take great comfort in the fact that Jesus has overcome the world. As Jesus says, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (Jn 16:33).
Remember each and every day of this year, that whatever craziness and chaos the world sends our way, Jesus wants you to steadfastly follow him (Mk 8:34). Keep your eyes on Jesus. Run the race so as to win the race (1 Cor 9:24). Run the race with endurance. Cast off anything that would hinder you from following him in the way he has called you (Heb 12:1-2). Indeed, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths” (Prv 3:5-6). “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might” (Eph 1:6).
I love ya’ll. Looking forward to journeying through 2020 with you!
In Christ,
Roger