Signs of the Unexpected

You know you must be on the cusp of cataclysmic changes in the world when you learn that the undefeated University Of Cincinnati will be in the Sugar Bowl. This is the first time in the 76 year history of the Sugar Bowl that UC has had this opportunity. And if it wasn't for Texas upsetting Nebraska with a last-second field goal, fourth ranked UC would have a shot at the national title.

Things certainly change. When I was at UC (albeit more that three decades ago) there was talk of ending the football program because of apathy toward a lackluster team that usually lost. These unprecedented developments bring to mind Habakkuk 1:5 which says, "Look among the nations and watch-- be utterly astounded! For I will work a work in your days which you would not believe, though it were told you" (NKJ).

We do live in amazing times. Who would have expected that the United States would become so indebted and willing to yield our sovereignty to the community of nations so quickly? Who would have guessed that Islam would become such a catalyst for conflict between nations in our day? Or that the flawed science of global warming would become such a religion drawing the nations toward a global government? Of course the most amazing thing is that Israel has been re-established as a nation after the Jews have been dispersed throughout the world for almost two thousand years. And Hebrew has been revived which was long dead as a spoken language. Such developments are simply unprecedented in history.

I expect to see even more amazing things among the nations in the days to come. It is such a blessing to know how things will turn out and that God has a plan for us. Those who don't know God or His plan will be distressed by what He is doing in the world... "there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth" (Luke 21:25-26, NKJ).

Not being distressed by what is happening among the nations is one of the many benefits of being a friend of Jesus... "No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you" (John 15:15, NKJ). Since God has helped us with knowledge of things to come, this should compel us to share that knowledge so others may likewise experience these blessings.