Matthew 24:6-7

“And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass…For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.”

As the close of age draws nearer, calamities will multiply. Wars, rumors of wars, kingdom upheavals, famines, pestilences, earthquakes, and so much more will be happening. As the end draws nearer, things will get worse, and chaos will be the daily news from around the world. When Jesus said, “all these things must come to pass,” it means that they will come to pass, and praying them away is as futile as praying that a pregnant woman does not feel discomfort during pregnancy and childbirth.

What must be our response in the face of all these calamities? Peace! Jesus offers us a peace that is beyond and above the craziness and madness of our fast disintegrating world. He said, “See that you are not troubled.” This is an instruction, and because we are naturally prone to be troubled, we need the divine touch to keep us peaceful in the face of calamities. I must shift my gaze away from the messy and troubled waters around me, and focus instead on Jesus who is able to keep my inner waters at peace.

“While the world system continues its downward slide into total decay, my job is to keep my eyes on You Lord. I need Your peace on the inside, and I choose not to trouble myself by the crisis everywhere. You are my peace and You are enough for me. Amen.”