What is the World Coming To?: December 4

And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.
Luke 1:31 (ESV)

  The exclamatory question is common: “My God, what is this world coming to?” The better question may be, “Where is this world coming from?”

Adam blamed Eve. Eve blamed the serpent. So the blame game began and we hear it continue, looking to the past to explain what is happening now. We see cultures and communities uprooted, even totally wiped out. We attempt to examine the loss of control over society without first acknowledging that we were never in control to begin with.

 Contemplating the events in the beginning, as Adam and Eve lost control, we also discover God's love controlled Him, and moved Him to set things in motion to draw people back to Himself. Knowing that the world would enslave itself, He set in motion His plan to bring life in the midst of death through the gift of His Son.

During Advent, we reflect on how much God loved the world. Only the wisdom of God could devise a way through death to make eternal life possible.

 As we hear and see the decay all around us, we can be quite confident that God will be with us for our walk through life, through death, and into eternal life in heaven. The Advent season helps us to remember why the world is as it is, how God loved the world as it was and is, and how, in finality, He can and will make all things work together for the good of those who love Him. The world will come to an end, but eternal life is available to all who love His appearing.

 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
2 Timothy 4:8 (NIV).

 Lord Jesus, in the midst of things we cannot control, help us look to You for grace and mercy in every need, Amen.

Rev. Layton Lemke (Ret.), Nya, Minnesota