I could be mistaken here, but I believe it was in Dante’s Inferno that the sign over the entrance of hell had these words on it, “Abandon all hope, ye who enter here.”
Perhaps there is a sign over one of the gates in the New Jerusalem that states “And they lived happily ever after.”
Continual portents of approaching doom are not the path of those who will live eternally happy, but neither is our total concentration to be on that eternal Kingdom of bliss that we today are citizens of.
“To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.” (1st Cor. 9:22)
Nearly all on this planet today live in some form of perceived fear of the future, and real or imagined, we are to meet them where they are, entering into, as it were, that fear that they believe is real, yet at the same time we do not lose our joy in the Lord. Frustrations, anxiety, subtle almost subliminal fear is the path our adversary has been allowed by the Almighty to widen in the lives of mankind today, and for most who have come to seek security in sameness these days bring those portents of doom.
“But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” (Daniel 12:4)
In part social media is the fulfillment of that verse, and, if I may bring conjecture into the equation, the mass migration of immigrants could be seen as the travel portion of that verse. Nevertheless, the knowledge that is abounding from the world is set upon causing fear, and Satan is well aware that information, that knowledge does not need to be on one’s doorstep to cause anxiety, events thousands of miles away will do quite nicely in modifying the way people perceive the future.
And so, as the Lord places people in our path, we are to listen to them attentively and go to where they are, as it were, to step into their world with them, to be all things to all men, and then reveal to them the One who can cause all those fears of that possible future to dissipate.
“Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” (Matt. 6:34)
This is why I have so much difficulty understanding those who profess to serve the Lord Jesus Christ whose main topic of conversation seems to be centered around these fears, whether real or perceived, the way the world is going, that evil that is growing exponentially, these beginnings of sorrows. Psalm 27:1 nearly always comes into my mind.
“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
Even when those circumstances are not affecting them personally there is an almost palatable fear emanating from them, and it seems as if they are more concerned with themselves, with that situation appearing on their doorstep than those who are actually experiencing it, they have forgotten who their neighbor is.
My friends, they have forgotten where their citizenship is, that sign I conjectured hangs over the place where we will live forever, happily.
Fear of a possible future that may not be the future we desire is foolishness to the one who professes faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
“Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” (2nd Tim. 4:8)
Glance over at the world occasionally, pray fervently that the Almighty will choose those you love to become citizens as well of your eternal home, but do not forget to be all things to those you meet, do not belittle their fears, to them they are real. That preaching of the cross may not seem so foolish to them once they hear the truths of it.
And then He can take away their fears as well.
