Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake. This will be your opportunity to bear witness. Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. (Luke 21: 10-15 (ESV)

There have been over seven thousand earthquakes in the world in the last few weeks. There are wars going on in parts of the world. There are drug cartels fighting in Mexico and some of that fighting is spilling over into America. We are facing total economic disaster in the United States and Europe. Diseases and viruses are on the rise. West Nile virus is a danger in several parts of the U.S., a girl was diagnosed with Bubonic Plague, the Ebola virus is on the rise in African nations. There’s starvation going on worldwide, even across America too. Northern African nations for years have been stricken with mass droughts and millions have perished because of the lack of food.

Sounds pretty depressing doesn’t it? It gets even worse in the Book of Revelation when you read about the seal, trumpet, and bowl judgments. But, hope is not lost. What is going on right now is what Jesus referred to as birth pains. For those of us that follow Jesus it’s an opportunity with a capital O. Verse 13 tells us that when these things occur, it’s our chance to bear witness. Its springtime and time for the farmer (the Christian) to plant the seeds (with the lost).

We don’t have to fear what to say either. God will provide the words for us and when it is time to bear witness we will be ready. By reading, studying and meditating on God’s word, we are being prepared by Him for these moments. But God will give you the mouth and wisdom what to say when that moment comes. He will give you such wisdom in that moment; your adversaries won’t be able to come up with a good rebuttal. Why is that? Because God is in control at that moment through each of us, and no one or anything can stand up to God’s truth.

So when the time comes, be prepared to let loose, let God have control and let Him work and speak through you. This verse keeps showing up everywhere I read devotionals and articles. I even used it a few weeks ago. This is all that God asks of us.

 

Micah 6:8

English Standard Version (ESV)

⁸ He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,^[a]
and to walk humbly with your God?

 

Father God, I pray that you will use me as your disciple to reach people with Your truth. I am willing and I trust that your word is truth. I know that if I do justice, love kindness, walk humbly before You and let You have control, your truth will work through me.