2Timothy 3:1 "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come."
Turmoils, hunger, insurgencies, epidemics are some of the common place occurrences in our world today. We are indeed in perilous times. All over Africa, these are difficult times. As we talk of imminent famine in Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia and Nigeria, among many others, we skip outside the continent to Venezuela where over 90% of the oil-rich country cannot afford three meals a day. India, Brazil, Haiti are not faring better. Terrorist groups like Boko Haram, Fulani Militia, Al - Shabab, ISIS, Al - Queda and many others are on the rampage all over the world. Indeed we can echo the words of the English poet, T.S Eliot, and say "things have fallen apart; the Centre cannot hold. The falcon cannot hear the falconer. Sheer anarchy is loosed on the world."
In the midst of all these, what is the Christian attitude? It is pertinent to examine this because when people are hungry and angry, they look for victims to vent their anger upon. Usually, Christians and Jews are the soft targets! We have seen thousands of Christians displaced from their homes. We have seen thousands of Christian women deprived of their husbands who were slain or butchered like cows. In Iraq, Syria, Nigeria, and many other countries, this is happening on a daily basis. At such a time like this in the past, brother Peter the Apostle wrote: 1 Pet 2:21 "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps." Following His steps in a determined, deliberate and intentional walk.
His steps? Yes. He had a focus, Heaven. That was all that mattered to Him, pleasing His Father in heaven. He said my Father works so I work. He said I have a baptism to be baptized with and how I constrained myself. He said my will is to do my Father’s work and finish it. We must make heaven our goal, our ultimate focus. He had regular recourse to the place of prayer to commune with His Father. We must be deliberate in carving out time to be with Him in the place of prayers and study of the word. He shunned all appearances of evil and lived above board to the extent that He could claim: the enemy came and found nothing in me.
Holiness must be our watchword. The Bible warns us: "without holiness, no man shall see God." People of God, let us be sober and do what we can for the Master, for the night comes when no man can work. The rate at which people of God are being taken up to heaven is alarming. The night may come for us sooner than expected. In keeping close to God in prayers and Bible study on a daily basis, He will guide us into steps to take in these perilous Times. The wickedness of the wicked cannot escape God. Let us listen to His directives and take the counsel of good old Mary: "whatever He says, do it." The victory of the cross is assured. People who don’t know our God are rejoicing at our temporary travails. But watch it, our God shall arise, and that very soon. For us, determined, and deliberate walk with the Master. Those who have ears should hear what God’s Spirit is saying to the church. Maranatha!
‘Bayo Famonure.
P.S. You asked for this some time ago. I wrote it within one week of your request but I left the last paragraph till today (31st July, 2021) to make it a birthday gift. Happy birthday
Uncle Bayo
