Peace, Safety and Destruction

Just when you thought it was safe, it’s not.

Last week began with six men arrested for plotting an attack on Fort Dix in New Jersey. The week ended with reports of a man jumping on a Chicago city bus and shooting five people.

Is nowhere safe? What’s going on? Why can’t we live our lives in peace? With reports of violence and natural disasters multiplying, is this the “New Normal?” And if it is, how can that be? What happened to the “Old Normal?”

One thing most Americans agree on is that the world changed forever on September 11, 2001. But to what did we change?

On a recent edition of the CNN Glenn Beck Show the host asked his guests, Dr. Tim LaHaye, Jerry Jenkins and Joel Rosenberg, “Is this it? Are we in the “End Times?” These men, all authors of best selling books about the End Times, agreed, “This could be the End Times.”

Whoa! --Hold on just a minute! What do violence and disaster have to do with THAT?

The Bible refers to the End Times as “The Day of the Lord.” Writing about that time, the Apostle Paul warns us in the New Testament book of First Thessalonians that this time will come unexpectedly. He adds, “While people are saying ‘Peace and safety,’ destruction will come on them suddenly…and they will not escape.”

The two bywords of the day we live in are “Peace” and “Safety.” It does seem, then, that those times may be upon us. There are those who want peace at any price, including surrender, appeasement or defeat. And many will go to great expense to insure their family’s safety.

But even with all of that effort, peace and safety still escape us.

Once again the Bible has good news that we need. It tells us that the child of God can have peace in the midst of turmoil. In fact, many survivors of tragedies say that their faith in God is what got them through it.

First we must make peace WITH God. We secure that peace through a personal faith in Jesus Christ. Then the Bible says, “And the peace OF God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Jesus told his disciples, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid.”

In spite of all the peace treaties made and signed, we still do not have peace in the world. Do you have the peace that Jesus gives? He brings peace to your soul. It’s the place to start.

Once you know you are a child of God, the book of Hebrews tells us that God has promised, “‘Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.’ So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?’”
The child of God has peace because he or she knows that God is in charge and can be trusted completely. They feel safe because they know that the safest place in the world is in the center of God’s will. And they feel secure because they know what they will find on the other side when they pass into eternity. God has told us in the Bible.

So just when you thought it wasn’t safe any more, it is!

To find the safety and the peace that is not of this world, you must come to Jesus and trust him to do for you what you cannot do yourself. He alone can forgive you and give you new life. Then you can have peace and safety in the midst of a world in turmoil.

Listen to the Bible; it’s good for your soul!