Perilous Times

Monday, September 3, 2018
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Listen while you read: "Forth In Thy Name"1 (Lyrics)

Recently, I received a telephone call about home protection service. I listened for a while and then declined their offer. I did look up some of the various alarm systems available, with sensors, cameras, wireless communication, and security panels. In short, all of them offer protection against break-ins into one's home.

All this reminded me of a period last year when, in our quiet little town, there were a number of daylight robberies. The local newspaper reported that an older couple were in their home with the doors unlocked, and a couple of men came in, threatened them, and demanded their jewellery. Another couple were working in their garden behind the house, and someone came in through the front door and stole their jewellery and some easy-to-carry items. There were a number of these types of robberies within a short period of time. The perpetrators were apprehended, and the items stolen were recovered. But the police urged residents always to lock our doors, even when we are at home, to lock our cars all the time, and to do anything that we can to keep our properties safe from intruders.

It is amazing how often we are told to worry about human intruders into our lives, but not about the spiritual things that can be stolen from us. There are temptations all around us, but it seems that we are not warned against these, and I hate to say it, even in the church, such dangers are not mentioned very often. But the Bible says:

2 Timothy 3:1-5 – 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! (NKJV)

But the Bible also tells us that all who will listen to the Word of God and obey it will be protected in perilous times indeed.

2 Thessalonians 3:3 – But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. (NKJV)

Think about it: Through modern technology and good sense, we can protect our personal belongings, and through God's Word, we can protect our spiritual well-being.

Prayer: Our Father in heaven, we are so thankful for the words of Scripture which tell us that through faith we are protected from the evils of the world. It is our prayer that more people would believe this. We offer this prayer in Jesus' name. Amen.

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About the author:

Joel Jongkind <austria67@bmts.com>
Meaford, Ontario, Canada

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1 Comment

  • PresbyCan Feedback says:

    Amen!


    Amen Joel!


    Thanks for the timely reminder, Joel.


    Thank you, Joel.
    You inspire the readers so well!


    Thank you, Pastor Joel, for your devotional today!
    God bless.


    Joel,
    Great sharing. Turning worldly concerns into the priority of Spiritual ones!
    (CA)


    Good morning, Joel,
    Thank you always for your devotionals. I am going to copy out that verse from 2 Thessalonians.


    Thank you, Joel, for sharing this devotional with us. Indeed, Scripture warns us about the prowling, hungry lion hunting for souls to devour, far more perilous than the loss of a few baubles! Blessings.


    Joel – you point out an incredible irony between our physical and spiritual guarding. Doesn’t it sound like we are in the midst of the behaviours Timothy describes as the last days? Thanks for writing this. God Bless you.


    YES, we need reminding about the spiritual perils. Physical perils can harm or even kill us but not take away our salvation. If spiritual perils take us away from the Lord we will indeed have everlasting death.
    Thanks again.


    Dear Joel:
    Thank you for your wise devotional.
    I was thinking as I watched the funerals of Senator John McCain of Arizona and Aretha Franklin and the masses of people attending, if we as Christians could instill such passion for Jesus Christ. Wouldn’t that be wonderful! Oh, that it would be so.
    I just wanted to let you know I appreciate your Devotionals and that thought that was on my mind.
    Blessings.


    Joel, thanks so much for your thought-provoking devotional. It is definitely a time of the me society – putting oneself first with a lack of conscience and justice. It is also the time that is ripe for God’s people to step up show Christ’s love for each person, to tell them Jesus is the only Way to Eternal Life, and even as important as this He will be with each one as they face dark days in their own lives. God is always with us no matter where we are. I must admit I am guilty of not doing this many times but thankfully God forgives me.
    God Bless.


    I guess we are to lock our doors to not make things too easy for those who would rather steal than work at a paying job. I remember a number of years ago my husband’s brother had a garage in a small town in Ont. He had some small items for sale. He had different teens worked for him after school and on Saturdays but sometimes things would go missing but he did not believe it was the boy he was paying. He had told nobody but the following Sunday when the Priest was giving his homily he suggested that if you are missing items in your business maybe you are making things too easy to be picked up. So, he locked some items up. Well the stealing stopped. I guess that is why they tell us to lock up everything. Thefts in homes have gotten to the point of locking doors. Locks do not always stop the thieves as they find other ways to get in.
    (ON)


    Dear Joel Jongkind,
    Thank you for blessed and blessing words of Godly wisdom.
    I pray that you will be enabled to continue to write.

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