What do you do when you live in the worst of times?

I was a preteen and teenager in the 1960s. Those were very difficult times. I remember well the horror of the assassinations of John F. Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, and Martin Luther King, Jr.

I lived in the state of Alabama during the Selma march and the turmoil in Birmingham. Those were two tumultuous times. I also saw friends serve in Vietnam and watched the protests on television.

Even in those times, we had a feeling that better days were coming. We knew if we could just get through these times we would be better off on the other side.

Many, many people feel today we are living in the worst of times in America, but it doesn’t seem that there is something better on the other side. What do you do when you feel you are living in the worst of times?

First, you recognize who’s in control. This world belongs to the prince of the power of the air. It is his world and his chaos. But, he’s not in control.

The Lord God reigns, and He is in control. God has a plan, and He is working His plan.

The Book of Revelation teaches many things. The most important lesson of this great book is that all earthly kingdoms will fail, but God’s kingdom reigns forever.

No matter what happens in life, we know God is in control and we can trust Him.

Second, you look for ways to make a difference and to glorify God in all things.

Difficult times open doors of evangelism and ministry. Many people are open to spiritual things when they fully see that physical plans and systems don’t work.

We know not everyone is going to come to faith in Christ. The Bible makes that clear. We should not be discouraged when the harvest is not 100%. Jesus told us that in spite of the times the harvest is plentiful. Since the harvest is plentiful, the laborers must be busy about laboring in His harvest.

Third, you let God use these times to exalt and glorify Himself. I believe I see that happening around me. People who are faithful in their ministry and service will be exalted because God is being glorified in their lives. Therefore, we remain faithful so that God can be glorified through us.

Finally, in the worst of times we can be obedient, faithful, and trustful in God. The psalmist asked the question: “When the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?”

There’s a great answer to that question.

If the foundations are being destroyed, the righteous can go on being faithful and righteous.

Let us be a people who go on being faithful no matter what is happening around us.

Would you like to begin everyday with a devotional like this? They are free at waylonbailey.com. Go to “subscribe to Waylon’s blog” and follow the simple and easy directions.