James 1:2-8 – “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”  NKJV

Just a few days ago I was having a conversation with my dear friend Garry Smith and in the course of the conversation we both acknowledged that current political and world conditions are pointing toward a benefit for the Body of Christ.  Please don’t misunderstand I consider what is happening in our world with terrorism, communism, socialism, and in America politically as anything but good but the one good thing that I see coming out of it is that the Body of Christ is being put in a position to have to TRUST GOD AGAIN like bygone eras.  Paul advised us in Romans that ‘all things work TOGETHER for good…’  He did not say all things were good but the finished product was good.  James tells us that when ‘trials’ come to count it all joy, not because trials, tribulations, and troubles are good in themselves but he too was focused on the finished product.

I believe, biblically, that in the dark days of the end times Christians are going to be forced to learn to TRUST GOD AGAIN or perish.  That is going to be true with regard to food, shelter, health, and virtually everything in life or needed to live in the natural.  I’ve had some tell me they do not believe in miracles and then ask me to pray with them for something that would require the miracle working hand of God to come to pass.  If I did not believe pray had any impact on people or events I would not pray, why waste time?  I try not to do things just for the sake of religious ritual but for purpose.

As I see evil men becoming more wicked and evil I also see the Hand of God being extended to whoever will reach out to Him and call upon Him.  In these days we have entered into, which will grow darker, we will see two streams or trends with regard to the church or professing believers.  Some will become shipwrecked in their faith out of fear and frustration allowing the questions to compromise their faith and that is tragic.  Another group will see the dire straits of our nation and world and press in to God taking His word much more literally than they have in the past or for a long time and develop a renewed deeper relationship with Him and see His hand move in their behalf.   The Bible describes a falling away and a harvest in the last days and those of group who press in to God will be a part of the harvest the other group will be as the foolish virgins or Esau and depend on the hand of man rather than the hand of God.

Difficulties in life including political corruption can become tools of God to bring us nearer to Him and propel into a realm spiritually that many have not visited for a long time. God has not changed and all the power He had He has.  He is still the Omniscient, Omnipresent, and Omnipotent creator of all things and will not change.  He has promised that “if My people, who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face I will hear from heaven, forgive their sins, and heal their land.”  (2 Chronicles 7:14).  The fields are ready for harvest and the only hindrance is us.

            May God be with you as you go through your day!