Tips for Life
By Alan Bailey
DO you ever wonder where the human race is heading? Is it flat out going downhill to its own destruction or is there a bright peaceful future on the way? Opinions will range between these poles but I fancy pessimism is in the majority. There are so many signs of civilization coming apart at the seams. Acts of cruelty, oppression and war are on the increase. Weapons are becoming more frightening as technology advances. We look to national leaders to navigate the way forward, but agreement is hard to find. Hatreds, prejudices and cruel ideologies keep getting in the way.
Do you wonder if anyone is in charge, in a sovereign way, ruling over everything? The reports we see and hear from the media day after day don’t encourage the idea. All seems so random, outcomes seem so unsatisfactory, human wisdom and human nature disappoint—let’s face it. We are not able to rescue ourselves.
Does the Bible reveal some light at the end of the tunnel? Is there any sense in history’s long line of events? Yes there is. The world looks like a mighty maze, but it is not without a plan. The main reason why it looks so ugly in places is that there is such a thing as evil. You see evidences of it every day. God is holy in an absolute sense and is utterly opposed to it.
Rather than come down on all evil with the heavy hand of a despot, God has allowed Satan a certain measure of freedom. Evil needs to run its course. As part of His great plan He gave the beloved Son Jesus to die for sinners on a cross. His rising from the dead heralds the final victory of God. He doesn’t want angry conscripts in His kingdom, He wants those who will love and serve Him willingly and gladly.
Today we see the nations gathering in the Middle East in a way that the Bible forecast many years ago. Final scenes of battle lie ahead. The prophets have so far been spot on. God’s great program is nearing its consummation.
Which calls for the question, “Whose side are you on?” It’s all-important that we bow the knee to the one and only Saviour, Jesus. He said “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”•