Matthew 24:9   “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.

I find myself experiencing growing concern over the lawlessness occurring throughout our country.  Among our media and many of our government leaders there is such a disregard for honesty, integrity and truth, it’s appalling!  Unfortunately it’s all about power.  They are not interested in a world based on Judeo – Christian principles.

Some of the worst attributes of human nature are being cultivated to ‘enhance’ the expression of views that are contrary to all that is good: hatred, vengeance, violence, intimidation, judgment, jealousy, deception, coercion, just to name a few.  Instead of being recognized and called out for what they are, they are embraced and encouraged.

Isaiah 5 contains some serious warnings for us – and for any people.  Sadly, I have written “our country” next to these verses.  Here are some of those warnings that I see flourishing around us:

¹⁸ Woe to those who draw sin along with cords of deceit,
and wickedness as with cart ropes,

²⁰ Woe to those who call evil good and good evil,
who put darkness for light and light for darkness,
who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.

²¹ Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes
and clever in their own sight.

^24c for they have rejected the law of the Lord Almighty
and spurned the word of the Holy One of Israel.

 We cannot and must not resort to similar tactics and attributes of the lawlessness we see.  Jesus Christ and the people of God (that’s us) represent good, light and sweet.  In their presence, the evil, dark and bitter are shamed for what they are – and threatened!  We embrace the word of the Holy One of Israel – they spurn it.  We do it in love – they do it in hate.

Today’s verse is part of Jesus’ answer to His disciples regarding what will be the sign of His coming and the end of the age?  He doesn’t paint a pretty picture.  We will be hated by all nations because of Him.  The evil spiritual forces at work in our country and in the world know where the threat to their plans and existence reside and Jesus has let us know how they will respond.

As we face threatening times let us hold fast to Jesus, for the One who is in us is greater than the one who is in the world.  We are His for such a time as this.  We are light in the midst of darkness.  Let us live up to the destiny He has for us to always glorify Him regardless of the outcome!