Articles
On The Bright Side
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” (Romans 12:12).
As I was watching the destructive effects of nature on the rampage on the news recently, I was made aware of how powerless man is sometimes.
We have been seeing flooding up north when rain descends faster than we can absorb it and control it. Just a few weeks ago we experienced fire storms all around us which firemen were helpless to stop until the winds died down. We’ve seen the terrible destruction of tornadoes, hurricanes, and earthquakes.
Watching these events unfold on television, happening to someone else, is nerve wracking to say the least. But, to experience the loss of material goods, including homes, furniture, clothes, autos, mementos, etc. must be heart rending, traumatic, and devastating to the people involved.
On the bright side of this though, is the fact that God has given us the capability of overcoming great odds and starting over again. With help and encouragement from friends and neighbors we are able to see the sunshine again with hope of tomorrow.
However, have you ever thought about the people in Noah’s day when the flood waters began to cover the roads, then the trees, the hills and finally the mountains? They saw, too late, that they could not escape the wrath of God because of their disobedience. “by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water.” II Peter 3:6
And then to bring the point home to us, think of the plight of those who do not know God or obey Him today. The Lord Jesus will come “in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.” II Thessalonians 1:7-8. If we fail to heed God in this life, there is no hope, and what awaits us is certain death. “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death” Rev 21:8
On the bright side, there is hope for all of us while we are still alive. “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that nay should perish but that all should come repentance” II Peter 3:9
On the bright side, “There shall be no night there; They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.” Rev 22:5
