Wage War Against Despair

Anxiety, Bible Meditation, Gospel, hope 2 Minutes

As I watch the news, listen to speeches filled with empty promises and absolute nonsense, and watch the downward spiral of our culture, there are biblical descriptors that continually come to mind. Maybe you have thought of these verses lately.

Everyone did what was right in his own eyes. (Judges 17:6b, 21:25b)

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. (Proverbs 16:25)

Claiming to be wise, they became fools… (Romans 1:22)

And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. (Romans 1:28)

Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. (2 Timothy 3:12-13)

Do any of these come to mind when you observe the corruption, foolishness, and ludicrousness of our times? These verses are perfect descriptions of society and government in about every context.

I must admit it is easy to get irritable, discontent, and ungracious in the days in which we are called to live. It is easy to despair and forget central biblical truths.

Things are bad; there is no doubt that this is a bleak time. We as Christians must take up the Sword of the Word and swing it against the lies and despondency that wage war against our hearts. We need to preach the Gospel to ourselves. We must wage war against despair.

What are some anchor truths for our souls in these days?

  1. The Gospel is still the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes (Romans 1:16b).
  2. Christ has died for our sins and risen again, and there is no condemnation for those in Him (Romans 8:1; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; 1 John 2:1-2).
  3. Jesus Christ still has all authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18).
  4. Jesus Christ has promised that He will never abandon us (Psalm 23:4; Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5).
  5. The Lord is our Helper, so what can man do to us? (Psalm 56:4, 11; 118:6; Hebrews 13:6)
  6. Nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus (John 10:27-31; Romans 8:28-39).
  7. We have every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 1:3). No matter how bad the world is, we lack nothing at all (Psalm 23:1).
  8. Jesus Christ will return, judge sin, bring in the new heavens and earth, do away with sin and death and sickness, and rule forever in righteousness (Jeremiah 23:5-6; Revelation 21:1-8)

Believer, take up the Spirit’s Sword and stand your ground in Christ against despondency and fear. Jesus Christ wins, and in Him, so do we!

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