The World has gone crazy, but then maybe, a lot more are gonna know.
These lyrics come from an old song by Keith Green. Keith was a very
prophetic personality who loved the Lord passionately. Since he wrote this, the
world has gone even crazier. It seems that radical hell has broken loose in our
culture in the last year and a half. Control is raising its ugly head and freedom is
diminished on many fronts. In addition, Satan has pulled out all the stops on his
delusions. The virus continues to be the perfect excuse for tyrants and
government intrusion at all levels. Are states no longer allowed to defend and
govern themselves? Will local governments and school boards no longer respond
to the people that elected them? We are standing at the edge of an abyss and it
doesn’t look good.
The good news is, we can and should share the Gospel while we can. The
word gospel, simply translated, means “good news.” In the midst of trouble there
is good news. In the midst of moral darkness there is good news. In the midst of
a sin sick world, God still offers abundant life and eternal hope through Jesus. In
the midst of troubled times, “a lot more are gonna know.” In John chapter 10, Jesus said,
“The thief (Satan) comes to steal, kill and destroy, but I have come that you might
have life more abundant.” Imagine living in these times without the abundant life
of Jesus! No wonder people are living in fear. Part of that abundant life, and
what keeps us sane, is the fellowship we have with believers that strengthens our
faith and reminds us of God’s goodness (as Pastor Scott did on Sunday)
and vision for us (as Pastor Dean preached a couple weeks ago).
We can celebrate God’s goodness in worship on Sundays as well as through
the week. And so, as we see the darkness of sin around us, let us shine the light
of the good news of Jesus, so that “a lot more are going to know” God’s saving
grace. As the world gets darker, our lights will shine brighter. We can also
remember that the darkness sometimes is darkest just before dawn!
Lord, help us to shine your light in the midst of a crazy world. Show us people
who are looking for hope in the midst of bad news, depression or sin. May your
Spirit fill us so that they will sense a difference and a hope in us. Thank you that
your unchanging truth helps us keep our sanity in all the craziness.
We do pray that you will expose the deeds of darkness and expose Satan’s
delusions.
And we pray in the words of another song that Keith Green wrote, that
expresses the joy and light of Jesus:
Oh, Lord, you’re beautiful
Your face is all I seek
And when your eyes are on this child
Your grace abounds in me.
Oh Lord, please light the fire
That once burned bright within.
Replace the lamp of my first love
That burned with holy fear!
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.