Have you ever started a suspense story in which the tension exhausts you? Do you stop reading, skip ahead to see how it ends, or do you push through? If you trust the author, you probably read on.
Some thrillers are too intense for me. The drama playing in our country and the world has been like that. Another assassination attempt Sunday. It’s too much. I’m ready to change books. But this is the story God’s placed me in. And I trust the Author.
Like the prophet Samuel, I’m distressed by leaders in every field that pervert justice and distort truth for personal gain (1 Samuel 15:11). I empathize with the frustration of the Old Testament prophets (Jeremiah 6:16-19; Habakkuk 1:3) and want to stomp my feet and scream to a blind world, “Wake up!”
Like those prophets, I bring my angst to God to reassure myself the Author I know still holds the pen. Fear isn’t my driver. Grief and anger punch me. Grief for those whose lives have been and will be ruined by the deception and corruption. Hate for evil. Perhaps my counseling background has sensitized me to the lifetime consequences sin inflicts on its participants and victims. Maybe it’s part of my spiritual DNA.
God-Given Response to Wrong
I understand the desire to dodge uncomfortable topics. While I don’t immerse myself in bad news, I don’t want to bury my head in the proverbial sand either. Following some important issues drives me to prayer. Communion with God renews my hope and strength (Lamentations 3:19-25).
Jesus was called “a man of sorrows” (Isaiah 53:3). He understood the consequences of sin better than anyone. And that understanding moved Him to tears.
He:
- wept at the grave of a friend He was about to resurrect;
- wept over Jerusalem;
- asked His closest friends to stand by while He poured out His agony to His Father.
Jesus didn’t weep because He was afraid, desperate, or hopeless. At Lazarus’ grave Jesus saw the suffering sin and death brought to His image bearers. Lazarus would die again. Sin, suffering, and death would continue long after Jesus’ own resurrection.
He saw the coming destruction of Jerusalem because of her rejection of the Savior—and wept.
“When He approached Jerusalem, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, ‘If you had known in this day, even you, the things which make for peace! But now they have been hidden from your eyes. For the days will come upon you when your enemies will throw up a barricade against you, and surround you and hem you in on every side, and they will level you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation’” (Luke 19:41-44 NASB 1995).
Jesus agonized in the garden because He was about to become the sin God hates. He understood the suffering and destruction hidden in each small departure from God’s will. Those willing to share His heart feel His righteous hate of evil and sorrow for its victims. But we don’t lose hope.
What Are We to Do?
“As for me, I will certainly not sin against the LORD by ending my prayers for you. And I will continue to teach you what is good and right” (1 Samuel 12:23 NLT).
When Israel sinned against God, the prophet Samuel—
- called out their wickedness
- listed what God had done for them
- told them how they had spurned God in return
- called Israel to repentance
- assured them of God’s faithfulness
- promised his own faithfulness as God’s prophet, priest, and judge.
If we follow Samuel’s example, we will:
- speak against evil
- invite people to draw near to God
- pray for our nation
- teach “what is good and right”
- vote for leaders whose policies best align with God’s values.
The Author of His-story has planned a marvelous climax. In this messy middle, like a good protagonist, may we embrace the role God’s written for each of us with courage and hope knowing God is working for His glory and our good in ways we cannot see. We cannot shirk our part. God rewards His faithful ones.
Strength Finder
I encourage you to pick some topics that are important to you and find reliable sources of information. Be vigilant in prayer and able to biblically defend your position with gentleness (2 Timothy 2:23-26). I list some sources I follow below under Resources that address current events and concerns.
When deception and evil stir you, try turning to Psalm 37. Take some time to soak in its assurances and be affirmed in your discernment.
Resources
“Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them” (Ephesians 5:11 NLT).
Outspoken with Dr. Naomi Wolf
“Essays, updates and arguments from an eyewitness to a new dark age, with thoughts on how to keep liberty, justice and human rights alive.” https://substack.com/@naomiwolf
The Epoch Times
The Epoch Times provides current news.
The Forgotten Side of Medicine
“The Forgotten Side of Medicine is a leading Substack newsletter where I expose pharmaceutical corruption and remarkable therapies lost to time for the health of humanity.”
Well Versed, Biblical Answers to Today’s Tough Questions by James Garlow (I read this last summer and found it very informative)
Re-VERSED: is his newest book.
Good News
I wanted to share my sister’s recent ministry update of how God is working on university campuses through The Great Exchange.
Give Yourself a Break is a ten-week Bible study to help you enter God’s rest.
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When You’re Ready for a New Story—Trust the Author #Faith, #trust Share on XBlessings,
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#InstaEncouragements, #TellHisStory, #Let’sHaveCoffee, #Grace&Truth
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Debbie, thank you so much for your post today. It is refreshing to read your discerning assessment of our nation with dependable resources listed. And thank you for sharing good news, including that of the valuable ministry of TGE!
Thank you, Jane! Your words encourage me. And yes, I love hearing what God is doing through The Great Exchange and other ministries!
‘It’s too much. I’m ready to change books. But this is the story God’s placed me in. And I trust the Author.’
Wow, Debbie. You wrote this just for me. We can only pray that the Lord would have mercy on us all.
Yes, Linda. Day and night, praying for God’s mercy and healing over our nation.
I, too, trust the Author – otherwise I don’t know what I would do. These days are unbelievable except that we are in the midst of them. You share some wonderful and impotant resources and I will be sharing.
Ann, I don’t know what you do without knowing the Author either. So glad we do!
I trust God with my story – but, oh, boy – do I want to peek at how we get to the promised ending! I tend to peek at book endings so that I can slow down and savor how the author got there – my family teases me mercilessly about it. Today’s story is a hard story – I am assured, though, that God has equipped my children for these times, but it is still sad to see that, despite their work and savings, house ownership grows further and further out of reach. This morning I read about an explosive devise in a car near T.’s rally in New York. I am keeping my eyes on the one who writes the story, trusting Him for the saving ending!
Maryleigh, that’s happened to my children too. Saving for a good downpayment and then having prices almost double. I hadn’t heard about NY. But even in my sleep I feel the need to keep praying for this. Blessing to you.
“The Author of His-story has planned a marvelous climax. In this messy middle, like a good protagonist, may we embrace the role God’s written for each of us with courage and hope knowing God is working for His glory and our good in ways we cannot see.” Your post brings to mind Acts 17:26: “and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation.” The very times and places we live have been planned with purpose. I remind myself of this very often. May we keep our eyes on the One who holds all things in His hands.
Joanne, that is a perfect verse to cling to. God knows what He’s doing! Thanks so much for sharing that.
Debbie, thank you so much for this powerful article and resources.
Thank you, Yvonne.
Sometimes it’s hard to find the balance between not burying my head in the sand yet not being totally undone by what’s going on in the world today. Being in the “messy middle” of a book is a good analogy, when all the crises are piling on, but we know the author will work everything out in the end. I like drawing from Samuel’s example. All we can do is shine our lights for Christ wherever we are.
Barbara, I struggle with that balance too. And sometime I tip in the wrong direction. But I find the Bible is alive to me when I’m wrestling over what I see around me. God has brought other generations through dark times. I know He’s leading us too.