QUESTION

I have many friends that fall into the group described below from today’s sermon.

15 Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and everyone else, both slave and free, hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. 16 They called to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us[f] from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! 17 For the great day of their[g] wrath has come, and who can withstand it?”

When I read those words, I knew that I must “love” those friends more and pray for them more, but to be truthful, I am weary. I only have to open up Facebook and read the countless status updates either overtly or indirectly mocking God. It is hard enough to remain friends and my prayers are reduced to a mere “save them, Father, soften their hearts.” I too, long for God’s justice, though I know I deserve hell and am covered by His mercy and grace. Where can I find strength to run the race set before us?

ANSWER

Thanks for the question. Thinking about your question was helpful to me in my own "perplexion". I am sometimes conflicted with the situation of the world. I find myself with mix emotions: anger at the mockery toward God and us, sorrow for the lost soul, callousness toward the world around me. Sometimes my feelings are perhaps godly, sometimes not (callousness).

When I look at the life our Savior, it helps me. His harshest words of condemnation were for those who were pridefully proclaiming their "right" relationship with God, but were really only pridefully serving themselves. Jesus wept over those who were held captive in unbelief (John 11). When I look at the passage in Revelation, I think of those Pharisees. I think of those who kill my brothers and sisters, like those in the story of Omar that Adam read. But, I also recall that all of us are guilty of mocking God, even if not overtly. So, I find strength in His mercy, that He would save me. I find strength in His sovereignty (but try to not use that as an excuse for my own laziness). I find strength in His compassion for me crying out, "Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief." I find strength in the hope that is now in Christ and also to come.

I pray that God will encourage and strengthen you, helping you (and me) to persevere, as only He can. Continue to look to Him in prayer and study of the Word.

P.S. It was ironic that we went to a chinese restaurant after church and one of the fortune cookies said, "Eat, Drink and Be Merry, ...." :-(