Another crisis is in the news with over twenty thousand reported dead and the number expected to keep growing as bodies are discovered under collapsed buildings. Surprisingly people are found alive in the rubble, but those numbers are much lower. Earthquakes have devastated this region before and measures were taken to strengthen buildings, but many still collapsed. Surrounding countries are gathering food and clothing for people who are suddenly out in the winter cold with their lives and livelihood buried along with their loved ones under the ruins of their homes. My wife watches a cooking show based in Azerbaijan and they interrupted their normal programming to show a local collection effort organized to aid their stricken neighbors. People are coming together to help people in need.
The Turkish government, which in recent years had become a player on the world stage, is being criticized by its own citizens for their slow response to help. Once again political differences were put aside, and international agencies organized desperately needed experts and material support. In a land where Christians are often persecuted, Samaritan’s Purse, a Christian Organization, responded to the cry for help by flying in emergency supplies and they won’t stop at that. The crisis of the day will hold the world’s attention until it fades, and another crisis takes its place. That won’t mean the end of the disaster or the suffering and despair, just the end of meaningful aid. You see there will always be more need than there is help.
Sadly, that’s not the worst disaster in the world, just the one that currently holds their attention. Another disaster is on an unimaginable scale and knows no national boundaries or limits. It has been ongoing for what seems like forever and it’s 100% fatal for those who don’t receive the cure. It’s worse than fatal, but more like a tortured, living-death that never ends. The world won’t even accept that it’s happening, though it’s taking almost 150,000 people a day!
The disaster is only effective on people who won’t accept the help that is offered. Why would anyone not accept help, if the situation is so devastating? They have been deceived into believing the threat isn’t real, they are immune from its effects, or they are fine the way they are. Who would do such a thing?
It’s the thief who is behind it he “cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy” and the cure is JESUS who “come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10 KJV). It sounds like a no brainer, choose JESUS and live or the thief and suffer and die. How can religion be the answer when it seems to be causing so many problems? It’s not religion but a relationship with the GOD who “so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 KJV).
More than that, “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom 5:8 KJV). Who could ask for more than forgiveness of our sins, abundant life now and eternal life with GOD the FATHER, SON, and HOLY SPIRIT in Heaven forever? That’s why “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Phil 1:21 KJV)!
Wayne Lance (2023) – That’s Good News to Share!