PROTECTION IN PERILOUS TIMES

By Jemima Rayan

We are living in the end times. The Bible clearly describes the days we are living in are perilous. The closer and closer we get, the difficult things become. The intensity of violence has increased tremendously in the recent past. We hear about violence and tragedy all around the world. We are closer than ever to the Lord's return.

2 Timothy 3:1-5 says, 'But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of Godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

The Bible gives a warning that every Christian to stay away from even the people who are living a life that is not acceptable in the sight of God.

Days of Noah:

We are so familiar with the story of Noah. Only Noah and his family were survived along with the animals that were in the ark. All else were destroyed.

Gen 6: 11, 12 says, 'The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. So God looked upon the earth and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth.

We can very well relate our days to the days of Noah. There is violence in the news every day. Some parts of the world have become so dangerous to even visitors. Anyone is shot anytime. Corruption and violence have greatly increased as in the days of Noah.

But, Look at the statement God makes to Noah! Genesis 7:1,' …you are righteous before Me in this generation'. God said that He will never destroy the earth again by water, but He did warn us that another such judgment for sin would take place one day.

When the evil becomes very rampant, God will not stand it any more. We are drawing closer to that time of judgment. Our God is so merciful, kind and compassionate. But, God will not tolerate sin forever. He gives a long rope. When people do not turn from their wicked ways, then He has to do something about it.

The good news is that there is a safe harbor in God. God promises that, as the children of the Most High God, we have a place of safety in God. Just like how God protected Noah and his household, He will protect you. The righteous will be protected! God is looking for righteous people like Noah. The righteous and their household are spared!

Days of Abraham:

The wicked Sodom could have been spared if there were ten righteous people. God could not protect that land because of the absence of good. Genesis 19: 12-29 talks about how God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.

Gen 19:29 says, 'And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham…'

There are the sinners on one side and the righteous on the other side. The sinners are headed for destruction and the righteous are headed for deliverance. The future of the sinner is dark and the future of the righteous is brighter and brighter.

Is 3:10 says, 'Say to the righteous that it shall be well with them, For they shall eat the fruit of their doings. Woe to the wicked! It shall be ill with him, For the reward of his hands shall be given him.

Protection promised:

There is a secret place in God. Our part is that, we should choose to dwell in that secret place. Psalm 91:1,2 says, ' He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress; My God in Him I will trust."

To whom is the protection promised? To the one who abides under the shadow of the Almighty. What is abiding? It is to take up a permanent residence. What is that place called? JESUS. There is no safety elsewhere. Especially, the times we are living in right now, is dangerous to just live a life that is of the world.

An abider is the person who is walking with God. God wants to protect us. But when we choose to dwell in the darkness, we are out for trouble. An abider is not a 'fair weather friend' to God. An abider sticks with God in good times and in bad. He fixes His eyes on Jesus. He obeys God no matter what. This person is not out doing his own thing but running his life according to what God says.

So our protection depends on our right standing with God and walking in fellowship with Him. If we will walk in His light, we will always be in a safe place!

Psalms 125:1,2 says, 'Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, So the Lord surrounds His people from this time forth and forever'.

The ones who trust in the Lord will abide forever. The Lord has promised that He Himself will surround such a person all the time. What a promise!

May the Lord protect you and your household in these perilous times. Amen.

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