Jesus said some do not have “eyes to see” and “ears to hear.” They are simply too preoccupied with themselves to see and hear the truth about God. There is no such thing as a reminder so powerful that it reminds those who aren’t paying attention.
The devil can be resisted, and we surely need to do that more often, don’t we? When we’ve been discouraged by the apparent hopelessness of our situation, we need to stiffen our resolve and do what is right, if not out of hope then out of defiance.
The world stands under the judgment of God for its rebellion. Unrepentant, the world is doomed to destruction. When Christ returns, that doom will fall. The only ones who will not be touched by the devastation will be those who are delivered.
Grace looks forward. Yes, the way seems long and the obstacles seem fearful, but God will not begin a work in us and not finish it. Our salvation is nearer than when we first believed, and by His grace, we can make it the rest of the way.
When the things you cherish are taken away from you, you will grow in wisdom. You’ll learn more from losing things than you ever learned by gaining them. And what you’ll learn is that God is all you have to have, the one thing you can’t do without.
With too much tranquility, we tend to forget God. We need to get out of our ruts and go on some fearful adventures, the kind that require real faith. If we don’t, God may have to disturb us. He may have to say, “Get out of your country . . .”
What God has done is powerful, but neither nature nor the Scriptures are powerful enough to impress us if we are unobservant. For the significance of what we see and hear to sink in and alter our character and conduct, we have to pay attention.
If God’s love for us is active, then our response to Him must also be active. He will help us do whatever needs to be done (Philippians 4:13), but He won’t force salvation upon any person who doesn’t care enough to seek Him diligently.
