From The Pastor’s Desk
“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.” 2 Timothy 3:1.
Recently, I received a telephone call about a home protection service. I listened for a while and then declined their offer. I did look up some of the various alarm systems available, with sensors, cameras, wireless communication, and security panels. In short, all of them offer protection against break-ins into one’s home.
All this reminded me of a story I read last year when, in a quiet little town, there were several daylight robberies. The local newspaper reported that an older couple were in their home with the doors unlocked, and a couple of men came in, threatened them, and demanded their jewelry. Another couple were working in their garden behind the house, and someone came in through the front door and stole their jewelry and some easy-to-carry items.
There were a number of these types of robberies within a short period of time. The perpetrators were apprehended, and the items stolen were recovered. But the police urged residents always to lock our doors, even when we are at home, to lock our cars all the time, and to do anything that we can to keep our properties safe from intruders. Sound familiar?
It is amazing how often we are told to worry about human intruders into our lives, but not about the spiritual things that can be stolen from us. There are temptations all around us, but it seems that we are not warned against these, and I hate to say it, even in the church, such dangers are not mentioned very often. But the Bible says: 2 Timothy 3:1-5 – But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people. ( NIV) But the Bible also tells us that all who will listen to the Word of God and obey it will be protected in terrible times indeed.
2 Thessalonians 3:3 – But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. ( NIV) Think about it: Through modern technology and good sense, we can protect our personal belongings, and through God’s Word, we can protect our spiritual well-being.
Prayer: Our Father in heaven, we are so thankful for the words of Scripture which tells us that through faith we are protected from the evils of the world. It is our prayer that more people would believe this. We offer this prayer in Jesus’ name. Amen.
