BE NOT TROUBLED
“And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.” Matthew 24:6
Jesus was asked about the end of the world and what would be the sign of His coming. He informed the disciples about times of great affliction, deception, and international conflict. In describing the upcoming days of peril, He gave them three words of comfort, “be not troubled.” Whatever the future holds, God does not want His children to be overcome by fear. The phrase fear not is found sixty-three times in the Bible. The words, be not afraid are used another twenty-six times. Many other times the Scriptures seek to provide freedom of fear.
We are to have a reverential fear of God, but we are not to live in torment. Jesus warned of days filled with wars, natural disasters, false teachers, and persecution. His words for His disciples were, “see that ye be not troubled.” How is it possible to escape fear in times of great distress and conflict? We can be comforted in knowing that whatever befalls us, God is ultimately in control. It is good to know that our Savior is the sovereign Ruler of the universe and that He has a plan not only for our lives, our families, and our church, but also for the nations of the world.
When it seems that your world is spinning out of control, remember that the God who created everything is still in charge. If we know that God allows us to go through certain tests and trials, we can be sure that He will supply the grace and strength we need to endure for His glory. We are likewise consoled in times when we are tempted to be afraid, in the confidence that God is with us. We are never alone, and we can face trials with courage and peace because Jesus is with us.
There is no doubt that the world is headed for unprecedented turmoil and tribulations. As the children of God, we can thank the Lord we have the promise that we will not be here for the Great Tribulation. However, that does not mean that we will not endure hardship and trials along our journey. Although we have, for the most part, enjoyed great freedom and little physical persecution for the cause of our Savior in our country, there is no guarantee it will always be so. Whatever the future holds, we have the timeless promise of Jesus that will always comfort our souls; “be not troubled.”