The article below, by Tim Ballentine, references a series we put out leading up to the 2016 presidential election, called “The Cold Civil War.” If you missed that series, we highly recommend you check it out.

Nearly four years ago an article was published on this site which gave me hope for the future.  It gave me peace in a time of great uncertainty and fear in my life.  With the election over and our new president sworn in, there was an enormous amount of apprehension, tension, and confusion going forward. As Nick had observed, for some, this was the dawning of a new era, and hope abounded.  For others, including myself, it was a time of great fear.

Thankfully, at the time, I found comfort through Nick’s words that, “No matter what any of our positions were on this whole situation, God’s kingdom was advancing.”  That, “nearing the end of the decade, there would be a tremendous amount of unity in our country!”  How amazing is that!  Unity would mean that nothing really bad could happen and we would survive and thrive in whatever may come.

Not only was this hopeful and encouraging to hear, it laid to rest some of my worry over where we were headed as a nation.  Being a skeptic and pessimist, I was on the side that saw dark days ahead.  Very dark.

But . . . dare we hope for a bright future?

Fast forward three years.  That unity thing went right out the window huh?  Wow, and I had really clung to that as some great source of inspiration and hope for the future.  It was a sign I was waiting to see unfold which would ensure that the darkness was not going to have its say here! Well, unfortunately, I couldn’t have put my hope in a worse place.

I’m writing this at the start of 2020, and literally, you walk across the street, the pew, the living room… and have an entirely differing opinion on matters of this world, and thus faith, as your neighbor, friend or grandfather.  I could watch the same event broadcast on TV and receive two completely conflicting narratives pending which network I am tuned in to.

Honestly, I do not think we have ever been more divided as a nation.  And I do not know that we have ever been more divided as a faith.  This is what happens when truth itself is under assault.  It is purposed and purposeful.

Re-enter my skepticism, cynicism, and pessimism for the future…

I feel completely helpless to change any of this.  So many things are being revealed which I have feared.

Over and over and over and over for months now, as I have watched national and worldwide events unfold, one phrase continuously comes to mind,

“My god are we in trouble…”

And honestly, I truly believe we are.  Forgive my negativity.

And yet…

What was that first part Nick had said again?

The Kingdom of God is advancing nonetheless.

Hmm, could it be I placed my hope and optimism in the wrong basket?

“In this world, you will have trouble,” says Jesus.

So… What you’re saying, God, is… “in this world, we ARE GOING TO HAVE TROUBLE?”  Well, that kinda makes sense, I suppose.  This world and trouble go together.  Of course we are in trouble.  People are acting the way people do.  Why would we expect any different???

I truly believe that herein lies the reason God has set out to ground us so firmly in Him these past few years.

In His Joy.

In Christ Crucified and nothing more.

In our true security in His finished work.

He is setting the foundation SO firm in order that we will not be moved.

For:

“God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change
And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;
Though its waters roar and foam,
Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride.” (Psalm 46:1-3)

He is setting the foundation SO firm in order that we may dance through whatever storm come our way.

For:

“There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
The holy dwelling places of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.
The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered;
He raised His voice, the earth melted.
The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our stronghold.” (Psalm 46:4-7)

I cannot stress this enough.  Get grounded in Him.  Like… a tree by streams of water.  Like… a house built upon rock.  YEA!  Um… Like a bloodsucking tick on a dog’s head!  Seriously, that’s totally Biblical : )

At a time when people are clamoring (in vain in my opinion) “God is on our side!,” let’s heed the words of Abraham Lincoln:

“My concern is not whether God is on our side… my greatest concern is to be on God’s side.”

It struck me that in the last issue of Elisha’s Riddle, where Nick spoke of a dream in which he and Dylan danced through World War 3.  Danced.  During WW3.

Clinging to my hope in the things of this world, I was completely unable to smile.  And I was definitely not dancing.

Now, I’m beginning to believe that we most certainly will.

“Take heart. I have Overcome the World.”