What will tomorrow look like?

I am guessing many of us are wondering that today, Tuesday, November 8,2016, "What will tomorrow look like?" after all of the thousands of balloons and pounds of confetti have been swept away?  This is what I believe. It will be another cool fall day where God's beautiful, perfect sovereignty will reign supreme.  I will sing to the Lord a new song for he has done marvelous things.  With his right hand and his holy arm he has won for himself the victory! (Ps. 98).  

In this week's Gospel (Lk. 21:5-19), some are remarking on the beauty of the temple yet unaware of the political chaos, religious and social rejection this place would experience.  Jesus then warns of days when not one stone will be left on another.  Of course the disciples ask when and what will be the signs?  I absolutely would have asked the same thing!  I don't like surprises, never have, never will.  I love the promise of a new season.  As I watch the leaves turning and falling today, I know it is a signpost of winter and its bare trees, but I also know we will soon see the wonder of God's paintbrush in the spring.  The words of Jesus proclaim these signs.  He tells us clearly what the future will be like; he doesn't pull any punches.  There will be wars, there will be destruction, there will be plagues.  I am sure when the Bubonic Plague hit in 1347-1352 people wondered if not "knew" the end of times was near. There is a place in northern England where dozens of odd, golf ball shaped domes sit.  It's known as Project Echelon.  One of the most secret intelligence operations, largest electronic monitoring stations ever constructed.  It is touted as the world's most advanced global electronic surveillance eavesdropping network.  Some believe it will win the war against terrorism others believe it is the highest level of privacy invasion. ....but one thing Project Echelon will never be able to eavesdrop on is the secret counsel of the Trinity.  The Lord has already revealed to us vital information.  His words are our source of "secret intelligence".  He has taken us into his confidence concerning the future!  He has written the script in the scriptures.  I am beyond grateful our secret intelligence comes from the God of time and eternity.

We don't need to be consumed by the future, but with today and God's provisions.  We are to look to God.  He purposes in all of the turmoil that we will be witnesses to him.  In times of extreme chaos our masks are shed and the true person of God emerges.  When that happens we become powerful witnesses. It is in times like this we need the vision of Christ's return to sustain us.  We are to remember we are followers not pioneers.  We are to lift up our head and expect resurrection, redemption and rescue.  Surely it is God who saves me (Isaiah 65:17-25).  "Endurance will gain your soul" (Luke 21:19).

The words of Jesus proclaim these signs; there will be wars, destruction, plagues, and persecution, but the end will not look like this.  The stage is set for it to be this, for God to establish a new age among us in the quiet of the night with the birth of a baby and a journey through death to new life.  

If you struggle with what Wednesday, November 9,2016 looks like, I offer these verse of encouragement:

The Lord can control a king's mind as he controls a river; he can direct it as he pleases. (Proverbs 21:1)

The kingdom is the Lord's and he rules over the nations. (Ps. 22:28)

Great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:21-23)

In everything God works for the good of those who love him.(Rm. 8:28)

In God I trust, I will not be afraid.( Ps. 56:11)

Isaiah 65:17-25

Malachi 4:1-2

Psalm 98

Blessed Lord who caused all holy scriptures to be written for our learning.  Grant us so to hear them, read, mark and inwardly digest them that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life which you have given us in our savior Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen