What To Do In A World Gone Mad
Though written in the first century, the words of 1 Peter 4:7-8 strike a booming chord for us at whom the headlines scream both pending and realized doom and gloom (think earthquakes, cyclones, war, terrorism, economic chaos, etc.). You might call them words of exhortation in a world gone mad. Read carefully: The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.
The end is indeed near. Peter wrote this within a generation of Jesus’ resurrection, and it is every bit as true today. The urgent tone reveals the reality that our Lord Jesus could return at any moment to take His church heavenward. The apostle Paul affirmed this imminent expectation clearly in 1 Thessalonians 1:10, writing that we are to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. The Lord is coming soon at the appointed time. Until then we live in a world gone mad and must engage the suffering and difficulty commonplace with depravity. Small wonder, then, that Peter goes forward to state what is needful in this hour. Reflect upon what he exhorts:
First, we must be self-controlled. Panic pounces on faith and tears it to shreds. In a world gone haywire, self-control is a critical part of keeping pespective. Giving cautious consideration to the way we respond to the evil in our world will allow us to embrace faith and peace. Rash responses play into the fear-mongering tactics of Satan. Self-control is a premier virtue for the believer; it refuses to let fleshly impulses best you. Secondly, we must be sober-minded. Sobriety of mind is to concede with faith that God is at work in our world and in our lives, and that we, therefore, will choose to trust Him, despite how strong the frightening forces can appear.
Do not gloss over the fact that self-control and sobriety of mind liberates you to pray. But what to pray in a world gone mad? Perhaps that God would use the tumult to melt hard hearts and move people toward the cross. Maybe that God would use the movement of diplomats and rescue workers and bloggers to quietly but methodically promote Jesus’ reputation in distant lands. Perhaps that God would increase your own faith and allow you to see your circumstances of fear and concern as a parable from which you can understand another’s desperation. The sky is the limit. Self-control and sobriety of mind free you to pray with availability, humility and expectation.
Remember that above all which you do and are, fervent love must be the rule. What greater gift can you give than the picture of Christ-like love that serves, gives, waits, and–yes–forgives? In a world gone utterly mad this is a gift that rises above the mayhem and points to the Messiah who saves; your Messiah–Jesus–the One who is at hand!
God’s Timing is Perfect!
Noah sure was in a dilemma. Granted, God had clearly told Noah to build an ark and to take into it all kinds of animals. God had given Noah the dimensions for the ark. God had even told Noah the number of days and nights that is was going to rain upon the earth–forty! But the one thing God did not tell Noah was the one thing that undoubtedly stirred the most serious discussions among Noah’s family: how long would they have to wait before getting off the boat?
Fasten your seatbelt as you review the schedule that unfolded for Noah. First, it rained for forty days. That much Noah was anticipating. But then it took one hundred and ten more days for the waters to recede enough for the ark to rest on Arafat. And then it took seventy-four more days for the tops of the mountains to become visible (cp. Genesis 8:5). Forty days later Noah sent a couple of birds out to scout the territory (8:6-9). A week after this, another bird was sent out, returning with a green leaf. Another week passes and a bird is sent out again, this time never to return. Twenty-two days later the water receded. About two weeks later Noah saw dry land from his perch in the ark. Fifty-seven days later Noah and his family–and the animals–walked out into the sunshine on dry soil. Think of it! Three hundred and seventy-seven days in all!
But the only number God had told Noah from the beginning was forty. That leaves three hundred and thirty-seven days of waiting without any firm statement about when to disembark! Could you wait that long? Patiently? Graciously? With anticipation and trust?
The beauty of it for Noah was that his patience paid off. God honored and blessed Noah (cp. 9:1). More importantly, God honored and glorified His own name through the entire flood experience. And God did this according to His timetable–not Noah’s.
Be mindful of these notions as you think about God’s work in your life. First, though you cannot see the timetable God has for the unfolding drama of His work and purposes in your life, He sees it. He knows when the right time is for this or that concern. His timing is well within the scope of His ability to manage.
Secondly, God is working even while you are not privy to tangible demonstrations of His work. Imagine how many times Noah must have gazed out an opening to see what was happening–only to see nothing but water. But justice was being meted out, and the water, in ways in which Noah could not have dreamed, was transforming the earth.
Finally, there is great blessing for those who wait patiently. When disembarking, God blessed Noah and covenanted with Him regarding the earth’s well-being. The thirty-seventh psalm states it well: Wait for the LORD and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land. . . . Have no doubt about it! God loves you very much, and will honor your obedience, trust and patience.