“These are times that try men's souls.”
Yes, our souls are being tried. We are involved in a seemingly endless war against terrorism, our civil liberties and personal freedoms are assailed at every checkpoint, the economy teeters on the brink of collapse, religious tolerance is threatened by unmerciful attacks on Christianity, environmentalists cry out “global warming,” and individual rights seem to trump common sense. Can it get any worse? Apparently it was pretty bad for Thomas Paine in 1776 when he penned the famous words, “These are the times that try men’s souls.” But why was that time a trying one? I would suggest it revolved around fear. Many people feared what their lives would be like after the war. If Great Britain won, would they even have a life? If the colonies won, would they be able to sustain society? People feared for their safety, comfort, future, livelihood, homes, and security. Seems as if not much has changed. So what do you fear? Are you faced with declining resources? Chronic disease? Unsafe neighborhood? Mounting debt? Disappearing insurance? Uncertain future? My biggest fear is that my children and their friends will die without faith in Jesus. I pray each night that the children will hear and heed the story of Jesus – Jesus the Savior, Jesus the Friend of Sinners, Jesus the Healer, Jesus the Son of God, Jesus – the name that gives eternal life. I thank God for partners in the fight for my children’s generation – dedicated pastors, teachers, principals, neighbors, relatives and friends. I rejoice when my children are told about the Good News of salvation. I thank God for those that preach, those that teach. I also thank God for His words of comfort: “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” - Matthew 10:28 I do not fear!
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorRichard Cohrs Archives
December 2016
Categories |