UNTROUBLED IN TROUBLE

"But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet." (Mark 13:7).

JESUS WAS IN THE PROCESS of telling His disciples of awesome events that were coming upon the earth. Some of them related to the destruction of Jerusalem, and some to the end of the world. There was nothing about His words that was merely academic – like passing along some interesting facts. They were arresting words that tended to startle the soul and make the heart tremble. Recall some of His words. "Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone shall be left upon another, that shall not be thrown down . . . For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles . . . they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues . . . brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death . . . the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken" (vs 2-25, NKJV). Yet, the Lord admonishes His disciples, "do not be troubled!"

JESUS DID NOT VARNISH THE TRUTH with the pleasing paint of carnal optimism. What was coming was very real, and would result in very real and troublesome circumstances. Yet, He speaks a word that only faith can grasp: "do not be troubled!"

A TROUBLED HEART IS A FEARFUL ONE, agitated by circumstances over which the individual has no power. When our heart is troubled, it stirs up unbelief and despair, just as though there was no God. We must do all within our power to not allow this to happen. As Jesus said to His disciples on the eve of His betrayal, "Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (John 14:27). Actually, that is like saying to a man with a withered hand, "stretch forth thy hand" (Matt 12:13). It is like saying to a man "lame from his mother's womb," "Rise up and walk!" (Acts 3:2-4).

TROUBLE CRIPPLES THE FLESH, robbing it of all of its boasted strength and draining it of all hope – particularly the kind of trouble Jesus foretold. He spoke of a time that would be noted for failing hearts: "Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken" (Luke 21:26). Yet, He tells His disciples, "do not be troubled."

THE LORD GAVE HIS DISCIPLES two reasons for not allowing their hearts to be troubled. First, the things that were going to occur "MUST happen." They were things appointed by God, who is always mindful of His people. There are no Divine appointments that do not take "the elect" into consideration, not allowing them to be tempted above what they are able to bear. Second, there was more to come: "the end is not yet." In Matthew's record of this occasion, the Lord said, "All these are the BEGINNING of sorrows" (Matt 24:8). Yet the Lord exhorts, "do not be troubled!"

IF THERE IS SOMETHING that can trouble the heart, it is "wars and rumors of wars," nation rising against nation, earthquakes, pestilence, and the disruption of the natural order. Yet, the believer must not allow his heart to be troubled about these things.Some choose to speculate about the Savior's sayings. They conveniently conclude that our Lord's words applied to another day and time, and have nothing to do with us. A handy bit of theology for unbelief, but it will not do for those who take our Lord's words seriously. While much of what Jesus said applied to the destruction of Jerusalem, it should be readily apparent that everything He said in this text was not so confined. There were global matters as well as provincial ones.

THE POINT OF JESUS' WORDS is that everything is under Divine control. The government – all of it – is upon the shoulder of Jesus. He will bring forth judgment to victory (Matt 12:20) – and the saints will share in that triumph. The collapse of governments, the social fabric, and nature itself has no bearing upon the "eternal salvation" we have received in Christ Jesus. God's "great salvation" is impervious to the worst of all trouble. Those who overcome will not be hurt by the second death (Rev 2:11), much less troubles occurring in this present evil world.

THE GOD TO WHOM WE HAVE RECONCILED has our interests in heart. He has appointed a King to administer His Kingdom who consistently considers His people. He has sent forth the Holy Spirit to work with them, convincing them of the good future that awaits them (Rom 5:13). Even the holy angels have been dispatched to minister to the saints (Heb 1:13-14).

THERE REALLY IS NO REASON why we should be troubled – agitated at the prospect of political and social upheaval. We surely do not delight in such things, but He that is in us is greater than all of that.

– Given O. Blakely