The year that is now ending has been interesting and, as usual, beset with sorrow and strife in many places. On January 17 a massive earthquake devastated the port city of Kobe, Japan. This was just one year to the very day after the Los Angeles area suffered its great earthquake.
Many times the Bible speaks about an earthquake, but only three times are earthquakes (plural) mentioned: Matthew 24:77For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. (Matthew 24:7), Mark 13:88For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows. (Mark 13:8) and Luke 21:1111And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. (Luke 21:11). These are parallel prophetic passages that refer to the time of judgment, soon to fall upon this earth, called "the beginning of sorrows." You would not want to be here for that, would you? Isaiah, in writing of that time, says, "And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of His majesty, when He ariseth to shake terribly the earth" (Isa. 2:1919And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth. (Isaiah 2:19)).
This year much sorrow and suffering has come to many from war, whether declared or not. Sometimes these are called "peacekeeping missions," or "brush conflicts," or "local uprisings," or it may be “tribal conflicts.”
Besides these physical things, there have been huge financial losses that affect nations, as well as businesses, wealthy individuals, and also the poor who surely suffer most.
Speculation caused the collapse of the 233-year old Borings British Bank that once financed the Louisiana Purchase. Orange County of California lost 1.7 billion dollars. Mexico suffered a great financial breakdown. "And when money failed in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came unto Joseph, and said, Give us bread: for why should we die in thy presence? for the money faileth" (Gen. 47:1515And when money failed in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came unto Joseph, and said, Give us bread: for why should we die in thy presence? for the money faileth. (Genesis 47:15)).
While financial losses can often be recovered or corrected, the suffering and sorrows of war remain for whole generations. Sadly, because man is sinful and selfish, wars never cease. There is always war somewhere in this world. Having rejected the "Prince of Peace," this world cannot have peace. But what about you? Do you have peace? If you do, you have Christ, for the Scripture says, "But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometime were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For He is our peace, who hath made both one, and lath broken down the middle wall of partition between us" (Eph. 2:13-1413But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; (Ephesians 2:13‑14).
Another interesting thing that came out this year was from scientists looking in to the brain for that thing called consciousness. They admitted that it may be that scientists will have to acknowledge the existence of something beyond their understanding. It might be described as the soul.
The peace of the believer deepens as we set our affections—our minds (yes, we have a soul, a consciousness)—upon those things which are above where Christ sits on the right hand of God. No event or effort of man can affect God's throne nor stay His hand. He works all things after the counsel of His own will, bringing glory to Christ and blessing for the believer. Ed