Waiting for God

Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and that day that is coming will set them on fire," says the LORD Almighty (Malaci 4:1).

In 361 AD, Julian the Apostate became emperor of the Roman Empire. He is called "the Apostate" because he rejected Christianity when he assumed the throne and tried to wipe out Christianity throughout his empire. Two years into his reign, during a campaign against the Persians, a Christian was being mocked by a group of other soldiers. "Where is your Carpenter now?" they taunted him. Steadfastly the Christian soldier replied, "He is making a coffin for your emperor." A few months later, Julian received a mortal wound in battle. According to legend, as he lay dying Julian took a handful of his own blood and hurled it into the sky with the words, "O Galilean, Thou hast conquered!"

It can be frustrating to be a Christian. It can be frustrating to see prayer banned from schools. It can be frustrating to see abortion not only legalized, but protests against it suppressed. It can be frustrating to see same-sex unions being given the status of marriage. Everywhere we look, it seems as if more and more people are ignoring what God has to say about how He wants life to be lived, and when Christians raise their voices in protest, we are accused of being unloving because we are 'intolerant' of other lifestyles.

But it can become much worse. There have been churches burned down in the South. Christians are subject to persecution and arrest in some Muslim nations. Christianity is illegal in some communist countries, and Christians are being murdered for their faith in India.

Jesus said of His Father that He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous (Matthew 5:45). At times, this seems unfair to us. But God showers blessings on everyone because He loves everyone, and wants everyone to have a relationship with Him. If an unbeliever never experienced anything in his life except God’s anger, why would he ever believe that God loves him and wants to be a part of his life? Peter tells us that He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).

But God will not be patient forever. The Bible is full of examples of people who experienced God’s judgment because they rejected Him and brought misery to the faithful. God will act to protect those who put their trust in Him. Psalm 135 verse 14 says, the LORD will vindicate His people and have compassion on His servants. God is patient because He is merciful; but He will also bring judgment because He is righteous. Please join me in praying,

Thank You, heavenly Father, for being patient with sinful men—because we too are sinful and are in need of Your mercy. Grant us patience while You offer unbelievers time to repent and join us in the saving faith that is the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Defend us from the hurtful words and thoughtless acts of those who live their lives in ignorance of Your holy will. Grant us loving hearts to gently show them the error of their ways and help us to bring them to You for salvation before it is too late. In Jesus’ Name we pray, amen.