On Sunday morning, March 10th, all of our clocks were suddenly behind the times.  Daylight Savings Time, which is almost as predictable as a lunar eclipse, had rolled around again.  (I say “almost,” because the time Czar, whoever that may be, occasionally decides to change the date by a couple of days.)  Like it or not, the purpose is quite obvious; the change is an attempt to synchronize the daylight hours with our schedules.

  Light and darkness are used metaphorically several times, in the Bible.  In John 11:9-10, Jesus comforted His fearful disciples as they were about to enter hostile territory.  He explained how nothing could happen to Him, or to them, while it was yet day—a metaphor in which “day” represents the season of life (as determined by God), and “darkness” represents physical death.

  In a second, and more prevalent metaphor, “Light” is used with reference to God, spiritual life, and that which is right, good, and godly.  “Darkness” identifies with all that is opposed to God, with spiritual death, and that which is wrong, evil, and godless.  Consider how the Lord uses these terms in:

  “In the beginning was the Word [Jesus], and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended [overcame] it not. (John 1:1-5)”

  “He that believeth on him [Jesus] is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. (John 3:18-21)”

  Jesus said, “…I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (John 8:12)”

 Though our winter here in Maine has been rather mild, I’m sure you remember the wind and rain storms that made us all batten down the hatches over the past several months.  Power companies and internet providers were kind enough to let us know that there would likely be outages, and that we should get ready for the worst, and hope for the best.  Several asked me, “Are you ready?”  Sometimes I would answer, “As ready as I can be.”

  Very similarly, our loving Creator God has issued a warning that storm clouds will gather as we approach the end of this present age.  Not meteorological storms, but political and sociopolitical storms, combined with a spiritual degradation to mark the approaching end of life as we know it.

  Some of these verses from the New Testament, about the last days, read almost like today’s headlines:  “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; (1Timothy 4:1).”  “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God… (2Timothy 3:1-5)

  According to the Word of God, this age will end with a time of judgment in which God intervenes once again, supernaturally, in the affairs of man, but this time as Judge.  The events of those days are described in Matthew, chapters 24 and 25, and Revelation, chapters: 6, 8, 9, 11, and 16.  It will be worse than any period of human history—God calls it Great Tribulation!  He must quell the rebellion and exact just payment for sin, which His holiness and justice demand.

  Judgment is surely coming!  So I ask, “Are You Ready?”  Your readiness must involve Jesus to be sufficient. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. (Romans 5:8-9)”

  Years ago, when I was learning to type, the instructor introduced us students to the practice text, “Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country.”  I would love to have a dollar for every time that I typed that line.  My speed was excellent in those days, …until I had to type something other than the practice text.

  Recently I came across that old familiar line again and was taken back by how apropos it sounded for our day.  Our country could surely use some good men in places of leadership right now, and more good men to follow them.  But how would you define a good man?  If you were to see a good man, what would he look like?  For an answer that is categorically right, we need look no further than the Bible, the Word of God.

  First, the Bible defines a good man as one who allows God to call the shots.  “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. (Psalm 37:23)”  He waits for God to tell him Who, What, When, Where, Why and How, before he acts or speaks..

  Secondly, a good man is one who is generous but discreet.  “A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion. (Psalm 112:5)”  He spends himself and his substance for the worthy cause.

  Thirdly, “A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD… (Proverbs 12:2)”  You can tell by watching, and listening, that his God is pleased with him.

  Fourth, a good man concerns himself with the future of His children, and grandchildren.  “A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children… (Proverbs 13:22)”  He prepares them for both a temporal and eternal inheritance.

  Fifth, a good man is responsible for producing good things.  “A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things… (Matthew 12:35)”  His words are always true, and carefully chosen to benefit the hearer.  “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. (Colossians 4:6)”

  God give us more good men!  Amen!

  Do you ever wonder how the dark ’isms of the age have made their way into the forefront of political ambitions in our day?  In the political theater, many politicians, and their accomplices whose commentary and opinions most of us still refer to as “The News,” have no apparent appreciation for the past successes of our beloved constitutional republic.  They unashamedly strive to shift our nation to a new political paradigm.  Some of us are starting to conclude that their intentions are either ignorant or evil, or maybe both.

  These ruling class hopefuls are vying for a revised philosophy of our governance, in which they believe “Democratic Socialism” to be the next best step in a path that, according to Karl Marx, might eventually lead to a New Communist Manifesto of America.  Anyone who has some knowledge of history, and who understands the diverse political theories of our day, might wonder what motivates these rogue patriots. Why do they desire a form of government that has never produced any semblance of the freedoms and privileges already afforded us Americans for almost 250 years now?

  Those who have escaped communism, or have been brave enough to voice their concern over the rigors of life they have experienced under the thumb of a communist regime, have clearly indicated that there is a dark side to Socialistic or Communistic governance.  They have exposed the barbaric mindsets of their communist leaders who, like zoo keepers, tend to view them as ignorant, lower forms of life, in need of their perpetual oversight.

  What can you do to prevent our further slide into the clutches of a heavy handed, godless government?  You can pray, vote, and share your thoughts in the public forums across this land, …but most importantly, you can surrender your life to God, who has promised, “…happy is that people, whose God is the LORD. (Psalm 144:15)”  And, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (2Chronicles 7:14)”  God’s desire is that you get to know Him through His Son, Jesus (John 3:16).

  Perhaps you have noticed that we are becoming a nation without laws, or at best, one whose laws do not apply to everyone equally.  There is corruption among our leaders, and widespread sin is on the rise.  It is relatively common now, to hear officials say emphatically that another, or several more, 9/11 type terrorist attacks on our soils are inevitable, and that a major economic earthquake is imminent.

  While no human knows what tomorrow holds, perhaps we should stop to consider whether our present state is an evidence of God’s judgment on our nation, and if so, Why? What have we done?  Abraham Lincoln said it best:

  “It is the duty of nations, as well as of men, who owe their dependence upon the overruling power of God, to confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon, and to recognize the sublime truth announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by a history that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord.

  The awful calamity of civil war which now desolates the land may be but a punishment inflicted upon us for our presumptuous sins, to the needful end of our national reformation as a whole people.

  Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us. We have grown in numbers, wealth, and power as no other nation has grown, but we have forgotten God.”

  The Bible says very clearly, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD… (Psalm 33:12).”  But to sinful Judah God said, “Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger… (Isaiah 1:4)”  Is this now America’s standing before the Lord?

  And what can we do if this is judgment? We must learn quickly, and repent.