It’s difficult to imagine that the difficult days we face are no surprise to God.  

The meanness and cruelty that seems to have seized the day, while disappointing and disturbing, are not rare when we pay attention to the redundancy of human history.

The way power and influence continues to corrupt the hearts of humanity… the way selfishness and brutality are lauded as strength…  the way wickedness in high places seems to go unchecked… While difficult and unsettling, these things should come as no surprise.  Even a faithless student of history can perceive the patterns.

But we are not faithless.  We are counted among the faithful, and we can take heart in seasons of despair and grief.  We can find confidence and relief in the Good News that is able to keep us in the love of God as we anticipate the abundant mercy of Jesus our LORD!

Our ancestors, spiritual and otherwise, endured and encouraged themselves. Even as they witnessed the darkness that pervaded the land, they were emboldened by the promise of God’s grace!

Bruised and battered, tried and troubled, assaulted and afflicted- they built themselves up, they prayed, and remained faithfully grounded – kept in the love of God – sustained by the living hope which is Jesus our LORD!

It’s difficult to imagine that these difficult days are no surprise to God… 

But,

¹⁸ They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” ¹⁹ It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. ²⁰ But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, ²¹ keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.

Jude 18-21

Be encouraged, family, and encourage one another with these words!

Good Morning, I love you all!

ihs,

just adam