We are living in troubled times. Over the last one hundred years, there have been many tuff times in our nation. It is always hard to deal with, and it can feel like the worst thing ever experienced. The quarantine that we are dealing with now has never been seen before. And it is going to take its toll on our nation in many ways death and pain from the virus, isolation, depression, abuse, governmental changes, national economy, and personal finances. The effects will manifest themselves in many ways as people struggle to cope with the stress of it all. When we add all of these things together as a whole, it may be something that none of us has experienced before. This experience will change us personally and nationally.

How does God want us to deal with this situation? Has he given us specific instructions to live by at this time? While Christ was here on earth, he told his disciples what to expect after his ascension. The times they lived in were not going to be good. He said there would be many different types of troubles, including pestilence.

“And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” 

(Matthew 24:1-14)

This passage is talking about the Church Age. To make it simple, that is the time between Christ’s ascension and his return. He puts his disciples on alert to the dangers that are about to come their way. They will endure many troubles throughout their life, and they are going to want to escape them. Jesus wanted to prepare and encourage them that they will be able to make it through these times.

The occasion of this instruction came when Jesus said that the temple would be destroyed. The temple at that time was the most magnificent thing that anyone had ever seen, and it was the center of their worship of God. There were gold-covered stones and white marble that looked like snow from a distance. It had taken years to build, and no one ever thought it would be destroyed completely. Jesus said that not one stone would be left on another. So, the disciples wanted to know when this destruction would come; this is what he told them.

Jesus listed things that they should expect to see. False messiahs, wars, threats of war, rumors of wars going to start or going on, famines, pestilences, earthquakes, persecution will come. Betrayal by those from within the church, false prophets and preachers, and some will grow cold in love.

Jesus gave them the information they needed to get ready for the times between that moment and the destruction of the temple. We can look at history and see that everything fits that time period. The disciples asked what they thought was one question, but it was, in fact, two questions. They assumed the destruction of the temple, the end of the world, and Christ’s return was one event. In Jesus’ answer He mingled two events together. It applied to the time leading up to the destruction of the temple and leading up to His return.

He tells them, “All these are the beginning of sorrows.” (Matthew 24:8) This sorrow is like labor pains; this stuff is part of the process of God’s timing coming together. “but the end is not yet.” (Matthew 24:6) These are not signs that Jesus is coming back. He gives those signs farther down in this chapter. We understand that no one knows the time of Christ’s return except God the Father. When someone makes a prediction, we don’t take it seriously because making predictions is foolish and not what we are supposed to be doing. We must be ready for the rapture at any moment, that’s how we are to live our lives. Always prepared to meet Jesus face to face at any moment.

He is telling them that they will have to endure hardship. However, “be not troubled.” (Matthew 24:6) Don’t let yourself fall into panic and anxiety over the matter. Be calm and thoughtful in the situation. How can we do this? By trusting that God is in control. “for all these things must come to pass” (Matthew 24:6). When we see these things happening, we know that God is working out his plan in the world.

Continuing, he reveals that in this time of false messiahs and false prophets, many are going to grow cold in their love for God and love for each other. “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” (Matthew 24:12) Confusion and wickedness will cause them to become worldly, jaded, and skeptical. These are believers growing cold, not turning from the faith. Don’t let the confusion and wickedness affect you. Allow the love of Christ to burn within your soul, the desire for Christ, and those around you. 

“But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” (Matthew 24:13) We see that during persecution, some will turn in their friends and family to escape punishment. They will deny the faith. However, some will turn from the faith during hard times. They choose to blame God instead of trusting that he has things in control. A true believer can not walk away from God. They struggle and even stumble, but they will not leave the faith. As believers, when hard times come, we need to get closer to God. We need to double down on our personal Bible study, prayer time.

He finishes with a vision of world evangelism. The gospel is spread throughout the whole world. To every nation, language, culture, and people group. “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” (Matthew 24:14) This goal is the most critical task for us during troubled times. To share the gospel with those who are seeking for truth, and comfort. Trouble times can soften the hearts of the hardest sinners toward the gospel. One of the most effective ways of doing this is by sharing your testimony.

“I know that my Redeemer liveth.”

— Job 19:25

The marrow of Job’s comfort lies in that little word “My”-“My Redeemer,” and in the fact that the Redeemer lives. Oh! to get hold of a living Christ. We must get a property in him before we can enjoy him. What is gold in the mine to me? Men are beggars in Peru, and beg their bread in California. It is gold in my purse which will satisfy my necessities, by purchasing the bread I need. So a Redeemer who does not redeem me, an avenger who will never stand up for my blood, of what avail were such? Rest not content until by faith you can say “Yes, I cast myself upon my living Lord; and he is mine.” It may be you hold him with a feeble hand; you half think it presumption to say, “He lives as my Redeemer;” yet, remember if you have but faith as a grain of mustard seed, that little faith entitles you to say it. But there is also another word here, expressive of Job’s strong confidence, “I know.” To say, “I hope so, I trust so” is comfortable; and there are thousands in the fold of Jesus who hardly ever get much further. But to reach the essence of consolation you must say, “I know.” Ifs, buts, and perhapses, are sure murderers of peace and comfort. Doubts are dreary things in times of sorrow. Like wasps they sting the soul! If I have any suspicion that Christ is not mine, then there is vinegar mingled with the gall of death; but if I know that Jesus lives for me, then darkness is not dark: even the night is light about me. Surely if Job, in those ages before the coming and advent of Christ, could say, “I know,” we should not speak less positively. God forbid that our positiveness should be presumption. Let us see that our evidences are right, lest we build upon an ungrounded hope; and then let us not be satisfied with the mere foundation, for it is from the upper rooms that we get the widest prospect. A living Redeemer, truly mine, is joy unspeakable.

Romans 13:6,7  “For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 7  Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.”

Write this verse down on a 3×5 card and carry it with you. Throughout the day, pull the card out and try to memorize it. Think about these questions as you meditate on the verse. What does this verse teach me? How does this verse apply to my Life? 

“That through death he might destroy him that had the power of death.”

— Hebrews 2:14

O child of God, death hath lost its sting, because the devil’s power over it is destroyed. Then cease to fear dying. Ask grace from God the Holy Ghost, that by an intimate knowledge and a firm belief of thy Redeemer’s death, thou mayst be strengthened for that dread hour. Living near the cross of Calvary thou mayst think of death with pleasure, and welcome it when it comes with intense delight. It is sweet to die in the Lord: it is a covenant-blessing to sleep in Jesus. Death is no longer banishment, it is a return from exile, a going home to the many mansions where the loved ones already dwell. The distance between glorified spirits in heaven and militant saints on earth seems great; but it is not so. We are not far from home-a moment will bring us there. The sail is spread; the soul is launched upon the deep. How long will be its voyage? How many wearying winds must beat upon the sail ere it shall be reefed in the port of peace? How long shall that soul be tossed upon the waves before it comes to that sea which knows no storm? Listen to the answer, “Absent from the body, present with the Lord.” Yon ship has just departed, but it is already at its haven. It did but spread its sail and it was there. Like that ship of old, upon the Lake of Galilee, a storm had tossed it, but Jesus said, “Peace, be still,” and immediately it came to land. Think not that a long period intervenes between the instant of death and the eternity of glory. When the eyes close on earth they open in heaven. The horses of fire are not an instant on the road. Then, O child of God, what is there for thee to fear in death, seeing that through the death of thy Lord its curse and sting are destroyed? and now it is but a Jacob’s ladder whose foot is in the dark grave, but its top reaches to glory everlasting.

1Corinthians 15:3,4 “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4  And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” 

Write this verse down on a 3×5 card and carry it with you. Throughout the day, pull the card out and try to memorize it. Think about these questions as you meditate on the verse. What does this verse teach me? How does this verse apply to my Life? 

Romans 3:23-24  “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:”

Write this verse down on a 3×5 card and carry it with you. Throughout the day, pull the card out and try to memorize it. Think about these questions as you meditate on the verse. What does this verse teach me? How does this verse apply to my Life? 

“We are come to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.” — Hebrews 12:24

Reader, have you come to the blood of sprinkling? The question is not whether you have come to a knowledge of doctrine, or an observance of ceremonies, or to a certain form of experience, but have you come to the blood of Jesus? The blood of Jesus is the life of all vital godliness. If you have truly come to Jesus, we know how you came-the Holy Spirit sweetly brought you there. You came to the blood of sprinkling with no merits of your own. Guilty, lost, and helpless, you came to take that blood, and that blood alone, as your everlasting hope. You came to the cross of Christ, with a trembling and an aching heart; and oh! what a precious sound it was to you to hear the voice of the blood of Jesus! The dropping of his blood is as the music of heaven to the penitent sons of earth. We are full of sin, but the Saviour bids us lift our eyes to him, and as we gaze upon his streaming wounds, each drop of blood, as it falls, cries, “It is finished; I have made an end of sin; I have brought in everlasting righteousness.” Oh! sweet language of the precious blood of Jesus! If you have come to that blood once, you will come to it constantly. Your life will be “Looking unto Jesus.” Your whole conduct will be epitomized in this-“To whom coming.” Not to whom I have come, but to whom I am always coming. If thou hast ever come to the blood of sprinkling, thou wilt feel thy need of coming to it every day. He who does not desire to wash in it every day, has never washed in it at all. The believer ever feels it to be his joy and privilege that there is still a fountain opened. Past experiences are doubtful food for Christians; a present coming to Christ alone can give us joy and comfort. This morning let us sprinkle our door-post fresh with blood, and then feast upon the Lamb, assured that the destroying angel must pass us by.

“And it came to pass after this, that the king of the children of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his stead. Then said David, I will shew kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father shewed kindness unto me. And David sent to comfort him by the hand of his servants for his father. And David’s servants came into the land of the children of Ammon. And the princes of the children of Ammon said unto Hanun their lord, Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? hath not David rather sent his servants unto thee, to search the city, and to spy it out, and to overthrow it? Wherefore Hanun took David’s servants, and shaved off the one half of their beards, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks, and sent them away. When they told it unto David, he sent to meet them, because the men were greatly ashamed: and the king said, Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown, and then return.”

(2Samuel 10:1-5)

As this account unfolds for us, we are told that Nahash, the king of the Ammonites, has died. The last time we saw his name was back in 1Samuel 11. He had attacked the city of Jabesh-Gilead. He was not a friend to Israel, but he had shown kindness to David. This was most likely out of his dislike for Saul rather than for any love for David. However, David had been treated kindly, at that time, he was in desperate need of it, and he was the kind of person that repaid kindness. We should always be thankful and show gratitude to those who are kind to us, even if they are doing it for the wrong reason. God is the only one that knows the heart and their purpose for doing it, but we should thank them and return the kindness when we can.  

David was living out a good Bible principle to weep with those that weep. David could understand what it is like to lose someone you love, especially a father. He sent his representatives to grieve and comfort the new king Hanun. This action was an offer of great respect to the former King and the new King. A gesture like this should have gone a long way in creating an opportunity for peace between the two nations. From David’s perspective, it surely would be met with gratitude and help in negotiations the next time the two countries were in conflict. We should always be looking for an opportunity to build the foundations of peace with our neighbors. We can not set back supposing that our kindness will not be received. We must take action in goodness and assume the best of others.

However, Hanun receives bad advice from those around him. They immediately assume the worst of David and cast on him wicked intentions. They look at his kindness with disdain. After all, from their perspective, he is the bad guy because he is the king of Israel. It is us against them, and they are evil. One thing that we all have to be careful of is assigning bad intentions to others without evidence. Some of us may be more prone to this kind of thinking than others. But we all can be susceptible to it. 

The problem with the assumption of bad intentions is that it reveals more about us then it does about the person we are accusing. A cheater is more likely to accuse others of cheating. A liar is going to assume everyone else is lying. When some people see a car with the key in it, they jump in and steal it. For most, this would never cross their mind. You can learn to be safe and take the appropriate actions to secure your property without thinking the worst of everyone. Over the years, I have come across Christians who would accuse other Christians of vile sins without evidence. Somehow these people felt it was acceptable for them to do this, but the reality is that it revealed more about themselves and their fantasies. It is good to assume the best of others unless we have evidence to believe otherwise. 

The king listens to this lousy counsel and takes action. The ambassadors get half of the beards shaved, and their garments cut in two. It is hard not to smile at the thought. However, this was a great insult to these men because of the reason they did not shave their faces. This custom was a religious observance, not just a style choice. Hanun knew this. He meant it to be an insult and an act of war with David. The smarter thing to do if they thought there were evil intentions would have been to receive them, thank them, and send them away quickly but politely. Instead, he takes the most aggressive action possible toward these men. 

Extremes can get us into a lot of trouble. For some reason, people tend to resonate with extremes. We see it today with the media and social media. The most outlandish gets the attention. I think there will come a time when people will get over this, and they will look for cooler heads and avoid outlandish behavior. A lot of trouble can be avoided by subduing our actions and reactions to others.

These men return to Israel in disgrace. They are sent to stay in a secluded place to regrow their beards. What do you do when someone insults you or is rude to you. It is wise to let it rest for a while. Time has a way of healing wounds. Let God deal with the situation. This restraint is not natural, but it is better than taking things into our own hands. When we do, we definitely make things worse. Give those burdens to the Lord and let him deal with it.  

If Mephibosheth is a picture of a sinner receiving God’s grace, then Hanun is a picture of a sinner rejecting God’s grace. David shows kindness to Hanun, but it is rejected, and he is accused of evil intentions. These men could have had an excellent relationship, but instead, they were at enmity. How often do sinners in need of salvation do this? They hear the free offer of grace and redemption and instead of humbly receiving it. They reject it and accuse God of evil actions. Saying, “how can God sent people to hell?” These are bold and aggressive actions taken by sinners against a good and holy God. While God is out of their reach, just like Hanun, they take out their ridicule against God’s messengers. Abuse them, shaming them, and driving them from their cities. 

When David heard of it, he was insulted. It was an act of war. While God’s mercy suffers long on the wicked, his wrath will be executed upon them for their rejection and actions. Hanan might have reconsidered his actions and made peace with David and avoided war. It is wise for the sinner to end their resistance against God and plead for forgiveness.    

As we look at this portion of the story, we can see a spiritual truth played out here. We can compare it to chapter nine and see two people that received kindness. One received it with humility, and one received it with disdain and baseless accusations. Hanun pictures for us the person who hardens their heart to the kindness of God and His offer of salvation.