Hebrews 12:1-3 English Standard Version

12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

It is so easy to get distracted these days. In searching for the word distracted in my bible app I did not find that word, but the sentiment exists. Here in Hebrews twelve we are given advice to help us when all the things going on around us concern us so much that it is difficult to focus on what is right and true.

The first issue is accepting that the truth and true believers abound around us today. In this we are not alone.

The second is to look to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith. We might not be perfected yet, but He is not through with us either. What Jesus did in His earthly ministries are examples of how we can trust God and His promises for those who believe by faith in Christ.

He could see the joy that lay before Him beyond what He had to endure in life. Do we know the end for us? Can you see it as worth what we must endure?

Romans 8:18 English Standard Version (ESV) For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

The ways of the world are instant gratification. We are not of the world, we are Kingdom dwellers. Our way is in the promises of God.

We can turn to His Word to discover the Way to go.

Now comes the hard part.

Be patient.

Isaiah 5:20 English Standard Version (ESV) Woe to those who call evil good and good evil,
who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!

Do we see this behavior in today’s society?

I have been struggling with what is happening today and where all this will lead. There is a difference between predictable and prophetic. We don’t have to be a prophet to predict where all this might lead our country. We know the nature of mankind and the ugliness is rearing its head and showing itself.

History has shown us that boiling points are reached and the pot will spill out and what reaches the flames will ignite the whole stove.

That is not a prophetic word, it is just predictable knowing human behaviors both evil and those who get fed up and lose control of their temper. Good people can act poorly if pushed too far, history tells us that.

Do I worry too much? Maybe but it causes me to pray. I am concerned and rightly so. Do I have all the answers? No. But I know who does and I turn to Him for what I can do to answer His will for me in these times. That is all any of us can do.

Matthew 16:2-3 English Standard Version

2 He answered them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ 3 And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.

We can predict the weather better than what might happen next. We know the capacity of the evil heart but there are too many options to predict what will happen next. The only way for us to know how to prepare for any outcome is to turn to God and ask Him to prepare our hearts and minds to serve His will.

It is easy to react to events in accordance with our human nature but He who abides in our hearts says “Trust me. I have not left you without help in this hour.”