Today’s reading is Psalm 81.
Psalm 81:1-3 begins with an instruction to worship the Lord with songs, instruments, and praises. There is then a reminder to Israel of what God has done for them in Psalm 81:6-8 and then a warning to listen to God and put him first in Psalm 81:8-12. This is followed by a promise to provide for Israel when they put God first in Psalm 81:13-16.
Over the last few months it seems as though we’ve seen a substantial number of mass shootings, including multiple in churches with one this past weekend. This is in addition to many other heinous crimes in the news. Despite these terrible events, I’m more encouraged than ever in my 42 years on this Earth that the people of the United States are turning back to God. I’m not going to site all the sources, but you can quickly do your own research to find that there are increased Bible sales, increased streams of Christian music even out pacing top secular artists, and church attendance and baptisms are growing rapidly. What’s maybe most encouraging is that Generation Z (those born between 1997-2012) is leading the way in these areas. Our youth, the future of our country and the ones who will are and will be getting married and having kids, is turning to God. Praise the Lord!
Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
1 Timothy 4:12
Boy are they ever, and I could not be prouder. It seems as though a revival is happening through them and also carrying over to older generations as well.
So why are all the other terrible events happening we read about in the news and maybe even see firsthand? God is real, so that means Satan and evil is real. In fact, I’ve seen some saying on social media that recent terrible events prove evil is real so that God also must be real, spurring them to go to church.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:12
The Bible tells us the battle between good and evil, spiritual warfare, is real. Satan is fighting back. But, God also tells us in Bible from the very beginning when sin entered the world that He would defeat it through Jesus.
He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.
Genesis 3:15b
As a recent popular saying on shirts says, Jesus won. He defeated sin and the grave through His Resurrection so we can too when we give our life to Him. Let us remember that as we see evil and let us pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to win hearts in our country and throughout the world one by one.
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