We look around us, see corruption and injustice, lies and evil, and think – these are surely the last days – look how bad things are.
What we tend to forget is that this cycle of 1) downwardly spiraling evil, 2) God’s judgment and 3) the emergence of new leaders and new countries has been happening since before the days of Noah. It is not unusual for the people of God, living in a society near the end of this cycle, to think “it’s never been this bad before.”
Psalm 12 reflects such a period in David’s day: “Save, O Lord!… the faithful have vanished… everyone utters lies to his neighbor, with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.”
God sees what is happening around us. He will act, though not as quickly as we would like. “Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan, I will now arise,” says the Lord.
We wait. We cry out, like saints have prayed through Scripture, “How long, O Lord?” We yearn and pray for Jesus’ return. “20He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. 21The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen. (Revelation 22:20-21).
