WE CAN CHANGE THE WORLD!

PROVERBS 30:11-14: “There is a generation that curses its father, And does not bless its mother. There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes, Yet is not washed from its filthiness. There is a generation—oh, how lofty are their eyes! And their eyelids are lifted up. There is a generation whose teeth are like swords, And whose fangs are like knives, To devour the poor from off the earth, And the needy from among men.”

OBSERVATION: Proverbs 30 was written thousands of years ago, but it reads like a modern clip from today’s newspaper. It is as if Agur, the son of Jakeh, was reaching forward in time to speak about our generation. A generation that does not respect authority. A generation that thinks they are right in their own eyes and establishes morality on the fly. A generation that is filled with pride. A generation that promotes tolerance in one sentence, and then rips apart those who do not agree with them in the next. A generation that appears to care of the poor and needy, but then promotes policies that keep people in poverty and dependence. This is the generation we live in. Is there any hope?

As I ponder our condition I am drawn to the words of the Psalmist – “Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him For the help of His countenance.” (‭Psalms‬ ‭42‬:‭5‬ NKJV) As the old hymn proclaims – “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus Name. On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.” My hope is not anchored to the events of the day, the condition of this generation, or the way that I feel. My hope is anchored in Christ who brings life, purpose, and direction in the midst of the storm to all who place their faith in Him.

So what do we do about this present generation? Do we simply trust in Christ and hide from life until He comes? While I believe the time of His return is eminent, I am also humble enough to know that He may choose to tarry. Why doesn’t He simply return now and put an end to all the rebellion, confusion, and injustice that we see in our world? It is because He is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to everlasting life.

He has given us a commission that is living and active until He returns. We are called to go forth and make disciples of all nations. We are called to proclaim the Gospel, to lead men and women to Jesus Christ, to baptize them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and to teach them to observe all that He has commanded us. The church is entrenched in enemy lines as a force for righteousness and life. We are to take a stand for the truth, take a stand for our Lord, and take a stand for those who are forgotten and passed over by this generation. And in doing so we will snatch some out of darkness and into His marvelous light.

This is not a time for the righteous to retreat. This is a time to put on the whole armor of God and to go on the offensive. Our weapons are not carnal. We are not battling with flesh and blood. Our warfare is directed at the spiritual forces that are dominating our culture. Through prayer and the proclamation of the Word we can overcome the enemy of our souls. We can lead many from darkness into the glorious light of His great love. We can change the world! – One heart at a time! In Jesus Name!