Trust During Tribulation

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27)

Peace, faith, trust, these are some of the things my thoughts have been centered on in recent weeks. More specifically, how do we as Christians, particularly comfortable American Christians, prepare our hearts for the difficult and painful circumstances the Bible warns us are ahead. I see plenty of talk on physical preparedness, but what about spiritual preparedness? There is nothing wrong with buying a generator and extra food if your budget allows, but those things are of no use from an eternal perspective if our hearts are not able to rest securely in the promises of Christ when catastrophe hits.

For clarification, I believe in the pre-tribulation rapture of the church. I do not believe the Bible teaches that Christians are subject to God's wrath, but the Bible is very clear that we will face the tribulation of the broken and rebellious world that we currently live in. We don't know how bad things will get before the wrath of God is poured out in the seven-year Tribulation prophesied in scripture, but it's shadow is falling larger and darker with each passing year. Are we ready?

I've been watching in horror the events unfolding in Appalachia in the wake of Hurricane Helene, and I cannot imagine the trauma and heartache and fear that is gripping these precious people. My heart aches for Florida as another massive hurricane is bearing down on them as I type these words. My country, along with the rest of the world, celebrates the culture of death that is ripping the unborn limb from limb in numbers my head and my heart cannot fathom, bowing down to the god Moloch and sacrificing our children to the god of self. I read of celebrity arrests and I cannot read further because the things they are accused of would give me nightmares. Another celebrity pastor falls to grievous sin, another school shooting, another missing child, another suicide, another cancer diagnosis. I could go on and on, but there is no need. You get the point. This world is crumbling before our eyes and people all around us are hurting, in need of a Savior...a Savior that we as Christians already claim to know. When push comes to shove, how well do you know this Jesus who saved you? Is he your rock, the solid foundation you stand on through adversity, or is he merely a casual acquaintance? Are the roots of your faith growing deep and strong, or are you still drinking the milk of a new baby Christian, even after a lifetime of professing Christ? Are you prepared to follow his leading through seasons of difficulty?

And I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them. (Isaiah 42:16)

You might have a limitless budget for all the supplies you think you could possibly need to protect yourself from potential disaster, but is your heart prepared to lean into Christ when your earthly storehouses fail you? Many Christians are downright scared, right along with the rest of the world, of the things they see happening around them, but what does that say about our faith? I'm not talking about salvation, but of sanctification, as we learn with practice how to rest in him. You may know Jesus, but do you trust him? I mean really trust him, not a superficial fluffy trust that fails when tragedy strikes. Have you made yourself familiar enough with his Word to recognize his promises at work in the midst of pain? Are you looking and listening for his presence? Because it is in those most difficult times of our lives when God's light shines the brightest, but only if we have eyes to see.

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” (Isaiah 30:21)

I believe that hard times may be ahead for our nation, and in many ways have already begun. Our society has turned its back on the God who created us, celebrating the most vulgar of sins a man can dream up, and we cannot expect that he will not judge our country as he has judged nations all throughout history. It is time to prepare spiritually for whatever may be coming. Seek the Lord, study his word, talk to him every single day. In other words, know him. Know his as a father who cherishes you. Know him as a friend who listens to you. Know him as a savior who protects you. And worship him as the God who created you and promises to never let you go. Tough times may be ahead for many of us, and in fact, unimaginably difficult things have already come upon many, but we don't need to be afraid. We need to keep our eyes on Jesus, and hold fast to the promises he has given us in his word. If you are saved, you belong to him, body and soul, and he will not lose you. And we need to extend that hope to a broken world in desperate need of a Savior.

He tends his flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. (Isaiah 40:11)

These questions I ask, I also ask of myself, and it is not meant to bring condemnation on anyone who is battling fear. It is my prayer that it will encourage you to examine your own preparedness, as I have been, and that we who claim Christ will be ready to stand firm on the foundation that only he can provide when the waves crash high and hard into our lives. He promises to hold us firmly in his unbreakable grip, and we have the assurance that his promises never fail. May we allow the waves to slam us into the rock of ages.

I've put together a sheet of printable scripture cards inspired by prints in my Etsy shop featuring the verses in this post, available on the Freebies page here on Crowns & Clay. They are a gift to you, so please help yourself and share with anyone who may be encouraged by them. I hope they serve as a small reminder of the presence of our strong, gentle, and loving Savior. If you're in Instagram, be sure to post a picture of your cards hanging in your home and tag me @crownsandclay. Have a wonderful week, and thanks for visiting!