(Note: I wrote this on Tuesday before the outcome of the election)

Hard TIMES TO Come?

The Gospel - Luke 21: 5-19

An old woodsman gives this advice about catching a porcupine: "Watch for the slapping tail as you dash in and drop a large washtub over him. The washtub will give you something to sit on while you ponder your next move." 

I can’t help but think that’s where we are right now in America. We have a porcupine trapped under a washtub and now we have to figure out what to do with it. No matter what we do somebody’s probably gonna get hurt.

Yet we know that our God does tomorrow really well so while we may care about what’s going on we know His will be done on earth as well as in heaven. We thank you Heavenly Father for those who consulted you and tried to discern your will in this election and our perilous times.

Now we settle in for the consequences. Listen to Luke 21: 5-19:

When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, Jesus said, "As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down."

They asked him, "Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?" And he said, "Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, `I am he!' and, `The time is near!' Do not go after them.

"When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately." Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.

"But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. This will give you an opportunity to testify.

So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance; for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death.

You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls."

Jesus is telling the Jews that their temple and culture will shortly be destroyed even though it seems impossible. The people will be persecuted, there will be dissention between families, friends, businesses, communities, and neighborhoods.

Hatred, animosity, fear, scorn, bullying, scoffers, political correctors, social justice warriors, political operatives, thieves, murderers, the low-life and connected ones will all ban together to heap ridicule on Christians, Christ, and our Creator.

The process may start slowly, but will build to an all-encompassing purpose/ mission of evil and its minions.

Lastly, in this passage, Jesus says that they are not to worry and not to prepare for He will be with them in eternity and will provide for their defense. Don’t sweat it and don’t worry about the porcupine under the basket – He’s got it.

This Gospel message comes just when we need it.

Yes I feel terrible that our country is failing, that we may never get our freedoms, and our right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness here on earth again. (We are promised that in Heaven as God is righteous and just.)

America may be being set up to have every stone, monument, government building, and court house be thrown down with our population coming under the control of alien leadership and ideology. Our religious faith and the legal right to worship may be waning but it will not be forgotten and held hard to our hearts.

We must learn to stand and proclaim what we think is right, what we think is God’s Will. The Holy Spirit will supply us the words, deeds, and ability to persevere. Listen again to the last part of this passage:

So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance; for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death.

You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls."

Get over the idea that all you had to do was vote the right way and it’d be taking care of. We’re looking for volunteers to deal with that porcupine!

Amy Carmichael wrote this poem:

NO SCAR?

Hast thou no scar?

No hidden scar on foot, or side, or hand?

I hear thee sung as mighty in the land,

I hear them hail thy bright ascendant star,

Hast thou no scar?

Hast thou no wound?

Yet I was wounded by the archers, spend,

Leaned Me against a tree to die; and rent

By ravening beasts that compassed Me, I swooned:

Hast thou no wound?

No wound, no scar?

Yet, as the Master shall the servant be,

And, pierced are the feet that follow Me;

But thine are whole: can he have followed far

Who has no wounds nor scar?

AMEN.