A Call for Repentance

Because of the pandemic, most of us are struggling and fearful of what will happen to us. We fear catching the virus, losing employment, running out of money, losing our home...everything is changing. Many of us are stressed, suffering and enduring one of the most difficult periods of our lives. We are all backed into a corner.

Add to that, the apocalyptic events that are affecting many countries in different parts of the world: catastrophic fires, choking air, drought, extreme heat waves, famines, earthquakes, hurricanes, flooding, division, lawlessness, crime, unrest, poverty and homelessness.

We hope that there will be a turn around and that the virus will abate, the weather will calm, that peace with prevail and that our lives can return to normality.

Yet, everything seems to be just be getting worse. It is one calamity after another.

Many of us don't understand why as Christians, we are going through this. But Jesus said, "For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust." - Matthew 5:45b The whole world is experiencing the same events and it is a sign that this is a time of great reckoning with God and His people.

But could this be the End Times?

As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age? And Jesus answered them, "See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains." - Matthew 24:3-8

Or is it because our country and the world has ceased to walk with God?

"For a nation or kingdom that will not serve you will perish; it will be uttering ruined." - Isaiah 60:12

And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?” - Matthew 8: 23-27

We are in the midst of a great storm and the winds and waves are crashing in on us. We are crying out to God: “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.”

But there is a way:

When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send a pestilence among my people, if my people who are called by my name humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. - 2 Chronicles 7:13-14

We must humble ourselves before God.

Pray and fellowship with Him again.

Seek Him and His ways.

Repent from all that separates us from Him: our sin.

This is a time of great reckoning. We must evaluate ourselves, seek forgiveness, renew our faith, correct our hearts, change our ways and worship our Lord Jesus in Spirit and in Truth.

We don't know how long this time of trouble will last or how rough it will get. It may pass soon, or just get worse, but we must keep our faith in Jesus and continue in our service to Him despite the raging storm around us.

Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes." - Matthew 24: 44-46

This may or may not be the End of the Age, but what Jesus said to his disciples still applies:

“But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” - Matthew 24:13

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