by Hal Lindsey
For a long time now, my name has been associated with events of the end times and the expectation of Christ’s soon return. For years, I have warned about a coming era of plagues and pestilence. I’ve talked about a rising tide of totalitarianism that would manifest itself in the time shortly before Jesus comes back.
Now, as we live through the times we knew were coming, let me encourage you.
We’re watching a massive plague cover the world. We see the globalists acting fast to use the emergency to their own ends. Many of the things we knew were coming have begun to arrive – though not yet with the intensity the world will see later.
So, what’s encouraging about that?
First, it tells us about something amazing just on the horizon – the return of Jesus! Signs pointing to the Lord’s return should not make us cower, but lift our heads!
The other encouraging thing is this. God has not changed. He does not change. His promises remain true – regardless of the trouble in the world. Jesus was very specific. In Matthew 6:2526, He said, “Do not be anxious for your life, as to what you shall eat, or what you shall drink; nor for your body, as to what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?”
In Isaiah 41:10, God spoke specifically to the people of Israel. But the wording makes it clear that it also applies to those who have been made righteous in Jesus Christ. God said, “Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
Sadly, there are Christians around the world right now who feel frightened, guilty, and powerless. For them it seems impossible to refrain from fear or from anxiously looking about them. They want to believe that He is their God, but they’re not completely sure of their standing with Him. And it’s all because they don’t understand the last clause of that verse.
“Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
They think the upholding of their relationship with God depends on their own righteousness. But in fact, it depends on the strength of His righteous right hand. He does the upholding. Our righteous standing before Him depends on the strength of His righteousness.
Verse 13 of that same chapter says, “For I am the Lord your God, who upholds your right hand, Who says to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you.'”
Is the message clear? Do not fear. Who upholds us? He does. Who will help us? He will.
Then verse 14 says something fascinating. It says, “’Do not fear, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel; I will help you,’ declares the Lord, ‘and your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.'”
He actually refers to Israel as a “worm.” There are several reasons for that designation, but the main one is this. It’s not their righteousness that He’s talking about. He is the Holy One, and it is His holiness that redeems them – and us.
So here we stand in the middle of a terrible mess. We hear fearful news on every channel. It’s good to be aware of what’s going on the world, but mostly we need to tune in to God’s channel. Listen to Him. Read His word. Be strong in His strength. Live in His grace!
And as you do that, it becomes easier to obey His command, “Do not fear.”